Nonarbitrary vs. Arbitrary

Nonarbitrary vs. Arbitrary — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Nonarbitrary and Arbitrary

Nonarbitraryadjective

Not arbitrary.

Arbitraryadjective

Based on individual discretion or judgment; not based on any objective distinction, perhaps even made at random.

Benjamin Franklin's designation of "positive" and "negative" to different charges was arbitrary.The decision to use 18 years as the legal age of adulthood was arbitrary, as both age 17 and 19 were reasonable alternatives.

Nonarbitraryadjective

not subject to individual determination

Arbitraryadjective

Determined by impulse rather than reason; heavy-handed.

Arbitraryadjective

(mathematics) Any, out of all that are possible.

The equation is true for an arbitrary value of x.

Arbitraryadjective

Determined by independent arbiter.

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Arbitraryadjective

(linguistics) Not representative or symbolic; not iconic.

Arbitrarynoun

Anything arbitrary, such as an arithmetical value or a fee.

Arbitraryadjective

based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice;

an arbitrary decisionthe arbitrary rule of a dictatoran arbitrary penaltyof arbitrary size and shapean arbitrary choicearbitrary division of the group into halves