Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RAN'DOM, n. [Norm. randun; Sax. randun; Fr. randonnée, a rapid course of water; randon, a gushing.]

1. A roving motion or course without direction; hence, want of direction, rule or method; hazard chance; used in the phrase, at random, that is without a settled point of direction; at hazard.
2. Course; motion; progression; distance of a body thrown; as, the furthest random of a missile weapon. – Digby.