drɪft n. & v. --n. 1 a
slow movement or
variation. b
such movement caused by a slow
current. 2
the intention,
meaning, scope, etc. of
what is
said etc. (didn't
understand his drift). 3 a
large mass of
snow,
sand,
etc., accumulated by the wind. 4
esp. derog. a
state of
inaction. 5 a Naut. a ship's
deviation from its course,
due to currents. b Aeron. an aircraft's deviation due to
side winds. c a projectile's deviation due to its
rotation. d a controlled
slide of a racing
car etc. 6 Mining a
horizontal passage
following a
mineral vein. 7 a large mass of esp.
flowering plants (a drift of bluebells). 8 Geol. a
material deposited by the wind, a current of
water, etc. b (Drift)
Pleistocene ice detritus, e.g.
boulder clay. 9 the movement of
cattle, esp. a
gathering on an appointed
day to
determine ownership etc. 10 a
tool for enlarging or shaping a
hole in
metal. 11 S.Afr. a
ford. --v. 1 intr. be carried by or as if by a current of
air or water. 2 intr.
move or
progress passively, casually, or aimlessly (drifted
into teaching). 3 a tr. & intr. pile or be piled by the wind into drifts. b tr.
cover (a
field, a road, etc.)
with drifts. 4 tr.
form or
enlarge (a hole) with a drift. 5 tr. (of a current)
carry. ødrift-ice ice
driven or deposited by water. drift-net a large
net for herrings etc., allowed to drift with the
tide. øødriftage n. [ME f. ON & MDu., MHG trift movement of cattle: rel. to DRIVE]
