Lot"ter*y (?), 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 tickets are blanks. Fig. : An affair of chance.
⇒ The laws of the United States and of most of the States make lotteries illegal.<-- except those conducted by the states themselves -->
2.
Allotment; thing allotted.
[Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.