I used the word 'arbitrarity,' and, in my usual fashion, looked it up to check the spelling & usage. It wasn't there! Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online doesn't mention any such variation of the word 'arbitrary.' However, when I searched google for the word, I could see that its use is widespread (and not just as a misspelled 'arbitrarily'). Any one know the scoop on this word? Is it just a common mistake, or is the dictionary missing something?

Welcome aBoard, slopedome. I always thought the noun form was arbitrariness; never heard/seen arbitrarity. Anyone?

this "word" is not to be found at all in OED2. the usual form for the 'quality of being arbitrary' is arbitrariness, or (if you're being really arbitrary) arbitrariousness.

It occurred to me that maybe others and myself were just generalizing the contrary-contrariety relationship.

sounds like someone is playing arbitratrix... but not very often...

contrariety and contrariness come up about equally via google; but...
arbitrariness > 123,000
arbitrarity > 559

contrariety and contrariness come up about equally via google; but...

they don't appear to mean the same thing.

Per onelook

contrariness:
deliberate unruliness or a fussy and eccentric disposition

contrariety:
the relation between contraries

This form of the word arbitrary is a common misconception. We would normally think that in order to change the word from its adjective form of arbitrary to a noun form of arbitrarity than we would add the ity. In all reality though the correct suffix would be of -ness making the noun form arbitraryness , which would mean: no discernible similarity of signal and meaning.

Hopefully this helps.
Doesn’t the English language cause one to stop and say HU?

Rev. Alimae

Doesn’t the English language cause one to stop and say HU?

HU. "Heavens Ubove"????

Kai-Sheng Hu. He played first base for the 1887 Abbotton Base Ball Club.

Please excuse my mis-spell. I ment huh.

Rev. Alimae

someone is playing arbitratrix

I dated a girl in college who play arbitratrix. I didn't much enjoy the music but she had a highly developed embouchure.