a. [ad. L. āleātōri-us, f. āleātor a dice-player, f. ālea a die, the dice.] Dependent on the throw of a die; hence, dependent on uncertain contingencies.
1693. Urquhart, Rabelais, III. xlii. So continually fortunate in that aleatory way of deciding Law Debates.
1818. H. Colebrooke, Oblig. & Contr., I. 17. If the equivalent consist in the risk of loss, or the chance of gain, dependent on an uncertain event, the contract is contingent and aleatory or hazardous.
1879. Motley, in Holmes, Life, xxi. 168. Such an aleatory process seemed an unworthy method in arbitrations.
