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arbitrario

arbitrary

adjective ahr-bee-TRAH-ryoh Rare

Origin: From Latin arbitrarius (depending on the will of an arbiter)

Usage Note

Arbitrario describes a decision or action based on personal whim rather than rule or reason. Una detención arbitraria is an arbitrary arrest; poder arbitrario is despotic power. The noun is arbitrariedad, and the adverb is arbitrariamente.

Examples

"La decisión fue completamente arbitraria."

Natural Translation

The decision was completely arbitrary.

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