📖 WordNook

drift

noun
  1. a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine
    “they dug a drift parallel with the vein”
    headinggallery
  2. the pervading meaning or tenor
    “caught the general drift of the conversation”
    purport
  3. a general tendency to change (as of opinion)
    movement
  4. a large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents
  5. a force that moves something along
    impulsion
  6. the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)
  7. a process of linguistic change over a period of time
verb
  1. be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current
    “snow drifting several feet high”
  2. be subject to fluctuation
    “The stock market drifted upward”
  3. drive slowly and far afield for grazing
    “drift the cattle herds westwards”
  4. cause to be carried by a current
    “drift the boats downstream”
  5. move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
    cast
  6. be in motion due to some air or water current
    blow
  7. move in an unhurried fashion
    “The unknown youth drifted among the invited guests.”
  8. wander from a direct course or at random
    stray
  9. live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely
    “My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school”
    freewheel
  10. vary or move from a fixed point or course
    “stock prices are drifting higher”