drift
d rift
- n a force that moves something along
- n the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)
- n a process of linguistic change over a period of time
- n a large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents
- n a general tendency to change (as of opinion)
- n the pervading meaning or tenor
caught the general drift of the conversation - n a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine
they dug a drift parallel with the vein - v be in motion due to some air or water current
the boat drifted on the lake
The sailboat was adrift on the open sea
the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore - v wander from a direct course or at random
don't drift from the set course - v move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
the laborers drift from one town to the next - v vary or move from a fixed point or course
stock prices are drifting higher - v live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely
My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school - v move in an unhurried fashion
The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests - v cause to be carried by a current
drift the boats downstream - v drive slowly and far afield for grazing
drift the cattle herds westwards - v be subject to fluctuation
The stock market drifted upward - v be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current
snow drifting several feet high
sand drifting like snow
- Catch my drift Snow is nice to look at and fun to romp in, but snow removal is a pain.
- Drift, Distraction, Dictator How far the Soviet State has drifted from its proletarian moorings further appeared last week when Premier Vyacheslav Molotov was quoted as.
- Were all continents once snuggled together in a mammoth land mass surrounded by a single shimmering sea? Did the continents begin to drift apart some 200 million years ago?.