stochastic

sto·chas·tic  (st-kstk)

adj.

1. Of, relating to, or characterized by conjecture; conjectural.

2. Statistics

a. Involving or containing a random variable or variables: stochastic calculus.

b. Involving chance or probability: a stochastic stimulation.

---

[Greek stokhastikos, from stokhasts, diviner, from stokhazesthai, to guess at, from stokhos, aim, goal; see stegh- in Indo-European roots.]

---

sto·chasti·cal·ly adv.

---

stochastic [stɒˈkæstɪk]

adj

1. (Mathematics & Measurements / Statistics) Statistics

a.  (of a random variable) having a probability distribution, usually with finite variance

b.  (of a process) involving a random variable the successive values of which are not independent

c.  (of a matrix) square with non-negative elements that add to unity in each row

2. Rare involving conjecture

[from Greek stokhastikos capable of guessing, from stokhazesthai to aim at, conjecture, from stokhos a target]

stochastically  adv

---

stochastic  (st-kstk)

1. Involving or containing a random variable or variables.

2. Involving chance or probability.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

stochastic - being or having a random variable; "a stochastic variable"; "stochastic processes" statistics - a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters random - lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance; "a random choice"; "bombs fell at random"; "random movements"