drift

[[t]drɪft[/t]]

n.

1) a driving movement or action

2) naut. navig. (of a ship) the component of the movement that is due to the force of wind and currents

3) oce a broad, shallow ocean current that advances at the rate of 10 to 15 mi. (16 to 24 km) a day

4) naut. navig. the flow or the speed in knots of an ocean current

5) cv den a gradual deviation from a natural or desirable position or course

6) the course along which something moves; tendency; aim:

a drift toward the political right[/ex]

7) a meaning; intent; purport:

the drift of a statement[/ex]

8) the state or process of being driven

9) something driven, as animals or rain

10) a heap of any matter driven together

11) a snowdrift

12) gel loose material, as gravel, sand, etc., transported and deposited by glacial ice or meltwater

13) gel

continental drift

14) elo elm a gradual change in some operating characteristic of a circuit, tube, or other electronic device, as an effect of warming up or of continued use

15) ling. gradual change in the structure of a language

16) mac

a) a round tapering piece of steel for enlarging holes in metal or for bringing holes in line to receive rivets or bolts

b) mac a flat tapered piece of steel used to drive tools with tapered shanks, as drill bits, from their holders

17) min an approximately horizontal passageway in underground mining

18) ars the gradual deviation of a rocket or guided missile from its intended trajectory

19) to be carried along, as by currents of water or by the force of circumstances

20) to wander aimlessly:

to drift from town to town[/ex]

21) to be driven into heaps, as by the wind

22) to deviate or vary, as from a proper position or set course

•

- drift off

23) to carry along:

The current drifted the boat to sea[/ex]

24) to drive into heaps

•

Etymology: 1250–1300; ME drift, n. der. of OE drīfan to drive drift′ing•ly, adv. drift′y, adj. drift•i•er, drift•i•est.