adv. [f. ARBITRARY + -LY2.] In an arbitrary manner, at will; a. merely at will, without sufficient reason, capriciously; b. unconstitutionally, despotically.
a. 1626. Davies, Quest. Impositions, 131. This power of laying on arbitrarily new impositions.
1656. Hobbes, Six Less., Wks. 1845, VII. 394. The point F is not to be taken arbitrarily.
1754. Edwards, Freed. Will, IV. § 2 (ed. 4), 279. The meaning that they arbitrarily affix to a word.
1769. Junius Lett., xxxv. Their rights have been arbitrarily invaded by the present House of Commons.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 126. The Bishop of Dunkeld … was arbitrarily ejected from his see.
1882. A. Macfarlane, Consanguin., 1. The arbitrarily chosen names of substances.
