Inside the Universes

Words with a similar base: be_adrift, drift

'drift'

[drift.n.01] as in: a force that moves something along

'drift'

[drift.n.02] as in: the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)

'drift'

[drift.n.03] as in: a process of linguistic change over a period of time

'drift'

[drift.n.04] as in: a large mass of material that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents

'drift'

[drift.n.05] as in: a general tendency to change (as of opinion)

Examples:
not openly liberal but that is the trend of the book
a broad movement of the electorate to the right

'drift'

[drift.n.06] as in: the pervading meaning or tenor

Examples:
caught the general drift of the conversation

'drift'

[drift.n.07] as in: a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine

Examples:
they dug a drift parallel with the vein

'drift'

[float.v.01] as in: be in motion due to some air or water current

Examples:
The leaves were blowing in the wind
the boat drifted on the lake
The sailboat was adrift on the open sea
the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore

'drift'

[stray.v.02] as in: wander from a direct course or at random

Examples:
The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her
don't drift from the set course

'drift'

[roll.v.12] as in: move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

Examples:
The gypsies roamed the woods
roving vagabonds
the wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
the laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town

'drift'

[drift.v.04] as in: vary or move from a fixed point or course

Examples:
stock prices are drifting higher

'drift'

[freewheel.v.01] as in: live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely

Examples:
My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school

'drift'

[drift.v.06] as in: move in an unhurried fashion

Examples:
The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests

'drift'

[drift.v.07] as in: cause to be carried by a current

Examples:
drift the boats downstream

'drift'

[drift.v.08] as in: drive slowly and far afield for grazing

Examples:
drift the cattle herds westwards

'drift'

[drift.v.09] as in: be subject to fluctuation

Examples:
The stock market drifted upward

'drift'

[drift.v.10] as in: be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current

Examples:
snow drifting several feet high
sand drifting like snow

Origins

					drift (English)
└── drift (Middle English (1100-1500))