Noun

(en noun)

An edict or law.

* Bible, Luke ii. 1

There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

* Shakespeare

Poor hand, why quiverest thou at this decree ?

(legal) The judicial decision in a litigated cause rendered by a court of equity.

(legal) The determination of a cause in a court of admiralty or court of probate.

Noun

(en noun)

A large quantity or number; a great deal.

* W. Black

He wrote to her he might be detained in London by a lot of business.

* , chapter=3

, title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=My hopes wa'n't disappointed. I never saw clams thicker than they was along them inshore flats. I filled my dreener in no time, and then it come to me that 'twouldn't be a bad idee to get a lot more, take 'em with me to Wellmouth, and peddle 'em out. Clams was fairly scarce over that side of the bay and ought to fetch a fair price.}}

A separate portion; a number of things taken collectively.

One or more items auctioned or sold as a unit, separate from other items.

(informal) A number of people taken collectively.

A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field.

* Kent

The defendants leased a house and lot in the city of New York.

That which happens without human design or forethought; chance; accident; hazard; fortune; fate.

* Spenser

But save my life, which lot before your foot doth lay.

Anything (as a die, pebble, ball, or slip of paper) used in determining a question by chance, or without human choice or will.

* Bible, Proverbs xvi. 33

The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

* Shakespeare

If we draw lots , he speeds.

The part, or fate, that falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without his planning.

* Milton

O visions ill foreseen! Each day's lot's / Enough to bear.

* Alexander Pope

He was but born to try / The lot of man — to suffer and to die.

*

as Jones alone was discovered, the poor lad bore not only the whole smart, but the whole blame; both which fell again to his lot on the following occasion.

A prize in a lottery.

(Evelyn)

Allotment; lottery.

* 1990 : (Donald Kagan), Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy , chapter 2: “Politician”, page 40 (Guild Publishing; 2239)

The Greeks expected their leaders to show physical courage, whether in the athletic arena or in battle, as well as piety, generosity, and nobility. Cimon had risen to power chiefly because of his military prowess, and any rival must be able to show at least honorable service and military competence. By this time, moreover, the generals were coming to be the most important political figures in Athens. Archons served only for one year and, since 487/6, they were chosen by lot . Generals, on the other hand, were chosen by direct election and could be reelected without limit.

All members of a set; everything.

The table was loaded with food, but by evening there was nothing but crumbs; we had eaten the lot .

An old unit of weight used in many European countries from the Middle Ages, often defined as 1/30 or 1/32 of a (local) pound.