I looked up "random" in The New Webster's Dictionary and this is what I read:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/random
Main Entry: 1ran·dom
Pronunciation: \ˈran-dəm\
Function: noun
Etymology:
Middle English, succession, surge, from Anglo-French randun, from Old French randir to run, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rinnan to run — more at run
Date: 1561
: a haphazard course
— at random
: without definite aim, direction, rule, or method
Main Entry: random
Function: adjective
Date: 1632
1 a: lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern b: made, done, or chosen at random
2 a: relating to, having, or being elements or events with definite probability of occurrence
b: being or relating to a set or to an element of a set each of whose elements has equal probability of occurrence ; also : characterized by procedures designed to obtain such sets or elements
— ran·dom·ly adverb
— ran·dom·ness noun
synonyms random, haphazard, casual mean determined by accident rather than design. random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure . haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence . casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose .
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