drift
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1drift
noun \ˈdrift\Definition of DRIFT
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 especially spatially and usually 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
— drifty \ˈdrif-tē\ adjective
See Examples of DRIFT
- the slow drift of the clouds
- As she got older, you could observe a drift in her writing towards more serious subjects.
- the government's drift towards a centralization of power
Origin of DRIFT
Middle English; akin to Old English drīfan to drive — more at drive
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Geology Terms
2drift
verbDefinition of DRIFT
intransitive verb
1
a : to become driven or carried along (as by a current of water, wind, or air) <a balloon drifting in the wind> b : to move or float smoothly and effortlessly
2
a : to move along a line of least resistance b : to move in a random or casual way c : to become carried along subject to no guidance or control <the talk drifted from topic to topic>
3
a : to accumulate in a mass or become piled up in heaps by wind or water <drifting snow> b : to become covered with a drift
4
: to vary or deviate from a set course or adjustment
transitive verb
1
a : to cause to be driven in a current b West : to drive (livestock) slowly especially to allow grazing
Examples of DRIFT
- The boat slowly drifted out to sea.
- The clouds drifted across the sky.
- The snow drifted against the side of the house.
- Drifting snow covered most of the car.
- The party guests drifted from room to room, eating and mingling.
- Her eyes drifted across the crowd.
- The conversation drifted from topic to topic.
- My thoughts drifted back to the time when we first met.
- After he left the army he just drifted for a few years.
- She drifted from job to job.
First Known Use of DRIFT
circa 1600
drift
noun \ˈdrift\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of DRIFT
1
: movement of a tooth in the dental arch
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