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.

Noun

(en noun)

The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.

*(Joseph Addison) (1672–1719)

*:The Veian and the Gabian towers shall fall, / And one promiscuous ruin' cover all; / Nor, after length of years, a stone betray / The place where once the very ' ruins lay.

*(Joseph Stevens Buckminster) (1751-1812)

*:The labour of a day will not build up a virtuous habit on the ruins of an old and vicious character.

*{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=Foreword citation , passage=A canister of flour from the kitchen had been thrown at the looking-glass and lay like trampled snow over the remains of a decent blue suit with the lining ripped out which lay on top of the ruin of a plastic wardrobe.}}

(lb) The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.

:

(lb) Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.

:

*(Francis Bacon) (1561-1626)

*:The errors of young men are the ruin of business.

*

*:The Bat—they called him the Bat.. Most lone wolves had a moll at any rate—women were their ruin —but if the Bat had a moll, not even the grapevine telegraph could locate her.

(lb) A fall or tumble.

*(George Chapman) (1559-1634)

*:His ruin startled the other steeds.

A change that destroys or defeats something; destruction; overthrow.

:

*(Thomas Gray) (1716-1771)

*:Ruin seize thee, ruthless king!