Lotto
/ˈlɒt.oʊ/noun
A game of chance in which players mark numbers on cards and win by matching drawn numbers.
Did you know?Lotto ultimately traces back to the same ancient root behind English words like allot and lottery, all tied to the idea of a share or portion assigned by chance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pleh₂-
“To fill; to make full”
Late Latin
Latin
*plottum / *lotum
“A lot, portion, or share assigned by drawing”
Old French
Old French
lot
“A portion, share, or item assigned by chance”
16th Century
Italian
lotto
“A lottery or game of chance involving drawn lots”
18th–19th Century
English
lotto
“A lottery-style number game”