drift

drift [drift]

n.

[ME (akin to ON & MDu drift, OHG trift) < OE drifan, DRIVE]

1. an act or instance of being driven or carried along, as by a current of air or water or by circumstances

2. the course on which something is directed or driven

3. the deviation of a ship, airplane, rocket, etc. from its path, caused by side currents or winds

4.

a) the velocity of a current of water

b) a slow ocean current

5.

a) a gradual shifting in position

b) a random course, variation, or deviation

6. a gradual movement or change in some direction or toward some end or purpose; trend; tendency

7. general meaning of what is said or done; intent; tenor

8.

a) something driven, as rain, snow, or smoke driven before the wind, or floating matter driven by water currents

b) a heap of snow, sand, etc. piled up by the wind, or floating matter washed ashore

☆ 9. Electronics a deviation or variation of a quantity, as voltage, from its assigned value

10. Geol. sand, gravel, boulders, etc. moved and deposited by a glacier or by water arising from its melting ice

11. Linguis. a gradual change along a certain line of development in the various elements of a language

12. Mech.

a) a tool used for ramming or driving down a heavy object

b) a tool for enlarging or shaping holes

13. Mining

a) a horizontal passageway driven into or along the path of a vein or rock layer

b) a small tunnel connecting two larger shafts

vi.

1. to be carried along by or as by a current

2. to be carried along by circumstances; go along aimlessly

3. to wander about from place to place, from job to job, etc.

4. to accumulate in heaps by force of wind or water

5. to become heaped with drifting snow, sand, etc.

6. to move easily or gradually away from a set position

☆ 7. West to range far afield in a drove, as in seeking pasture or escaping a storm: said of cattle

vt.

1. to cause to drift

2. to cover with drifts

SYN.- TENDENCY, WASH

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drift apart

to gradually lose interest in or affection for each other

drifter

n.