arbitrarily-enforced
|ar-bi-trar-i-ly-en-forced|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑːrbɪˈtrɛrəli ɪnˈfɔrst/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːbɪˈtrɛərəli ɪnˈfɔːst/
randomly applied
Etymology
'arbitrarily-enforced' originates from the combination of 'arbitrary' and 'enforce'. 'Arbitrary' comes from Latin 'arbitrarius', meaning 'dependent on the will or judgment of another'. 'Enforce' comes from Old French 'enforcier', meaning 'to strengthen or fortify'.
'Arbitrarily' evolved from the Latin 'arbitrarius', while 'enforce' transitioned from Old French 'enforcier' to Middle English 'enforcen', eventually forming the modern English term 'enforce'.
Initially, 'arbitrary' meant 'dependent on the will of another', but over time it evolved to mean 'based on random choice or personal whim'. 'Enforce' has largely retained its original meaning of 'to compel observance of or compliance with'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
implemented or applied in a manner that is based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
The rules were arbitrarily-enforced, leading to confusion among the participants.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/04 21:43