lottery

n.; pl. Lotteries [ Lot + -ery, as in brewery, bindery. ] 1. A scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance; esp., a gaming scheme in which one or more tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes, and the rest of the tickets are blanks. Fig.: An affair of chance. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The laws of the United States and of most of the States make private lotteries illegal, except in certain circumstances for charitable institutions; however, many of the states now conduct lotteries tehmselves as a revenue source. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. Allotment; thing allotted. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]