.
-
#75863
Main Entry:
1drift
Pronunciation:
\ˈdrift\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English; akin to Old English drīfan to drive — more at drive
Date:
14th century
1 a: the act of driving something along b: the flow or the velocity of the current of a river or ocean stream
2: something driven, propelled, or urged along or drawn together in a clump by or as if by a natural agency: as a: wind-driven snow, rain, cloud, dust, or smoke usually at or near the ground surface b (1): a mass of matter (as sand) deposited together by or as if by wind or water (2): a helter-skelter accumulation c: drove, flock d: something (as driftwood) washed ashore e: rock debris deposited by natural agents ; specifically : a deposit of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders transported by a glacier or by running water from a glacier
3 a: a general underlying design or tendency <perceiving the drift of the government's policies> b: the underlying meaning, import, or purport of what is spoken or written <the drift of a conversation>
4: something (as a tool) driven down upon or forced into a body
5: the motion or action of drifting esp. spatially and usu. under external influence: as a: the lateral motion of an aircraft due to air currents b: an easy moderate more or less steady flow or sweep along a spatial course c: a gradual shift in attitude, opinion, or position d: an aimless course ; especially : a foregoing of any attempt at direction or control e: a deviation from a true reproduction, representation, or reading ; especially : a gradual change in the zero reading of an instrument or in any quantitative characteristic that is supposed to remain constant
6 a: a nearly horizontal mine passageway driven on or parallel to the course of a vein or rock stratum b: a small crosscut in a mine connecting two larger tunnels
7 a: an assumed trend toward a general change in the structure of a language over a period of time b: genetic drift
8: a mass of planted flowers
