An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Involving or containing a random variable or variables. A stochastic variable is neither completely determined nor completely random. A system containing one or more stochastic variables is probabilistically determined.

Etymology (EN): From Gk. stokhastikos “able to guess, conjecturing,” from stokhazesthai “to aim at, guess,” from stokhos “a guess, target,” literally “pointed stake.”

Etymology (PE): Kâturgin, from kâtur, kâturé, → random

• -gin, adj. suffix, contraction of âgin “filled.”