migrate

mi•grate

[[t]ˈmaɪ greɪt[/t]] v. i., -grat•ed, -grat•ing.

1) to move from one country, region, or place to another

2) to pass periodically from one region or climate to another, as certain birds, fishes, and animals

3) cvb to shift, as from one system or enterprise to another

4)

a) (of ions) to move toward an electrode during electrolysis

b) (of atoms within a molecule) to change position

5) (of a chemical or other substance) to spread, as by seepage, from an area or site of containment into a larger environment

•

Etymology: 1690–1700; < L migrātus, ptp. of migrāre to move from place to place, change position mi′gra•tor, n. syn: migrate, emigrate, immigrate refer to moving from one country or region to another. migrate means to make such a move either once or repeatedly; it is applied to both people and animals: The family migrated from Ireland to the United States. Ducks migrate every fall. emigrate, used of persons only, generally means to leave one's native country and take up permanent residence in another: Each year many people emigrate from Europe. immigrate, used of persons only, generally means to enter and settle in a country that is not one's own: They decided to immigrate to Australia.