drift

/dɹɪft/

noun

  1. 1

    (physical) Movement; that which moves or is moved.

  2. 2

    The act or motion of drifting; the force which impels or drives; an overpowering influence or impulse.

  3. 3

    A place (a ford) along a river where the water is shallow enough to permit crossing to the opposite side.

  4. 4

    The tendency of an act, argument, course of conduct, or the like; object aimed at or intended; intention; hence, also, import or meaning of a sentence or discourse; aim.

  5. 5

    The horizontal thrust or pressure of an arch or vault upon the abutments.

  6. 6

    (handiwork) A tool.

  7. 7

    A deviation from the line of fire, peculiar to oblong projectiles.

  8. 8

    Minor deviation of audio or video playback from its correct speed.

  9. 9

    The situation where a performer gradually and unintentionally moves from their proper location within the scene.

  10. 10

    A passage driven or cut between shaft and shaft; a driftway; a small subterranean gallery; an adit or tunnel.

  11. 11

    Movement.

  12. 12

    A sideways movement of the ball through the air, when bowled by a spin bowler.

  13. 13

    Slow, cumulative change.

    genetic drift

verb

  1. 1

    To move slowly, especially pushed by currents of water, air, etc.

    The balloon was drifting in the breeze.
  2. 2

    To move haphazardly without any destination.

    He drifted from town to town, never settling down.
  3. 3

    To deviate gently from the intended direction of travel.

    This car tends to drift left at high speeds.
  4. 4

    To drive or carry, as currents do a floating body.

  5. 5

    To drive into heaps.

    A current of wind drifts snow or sand
  6. 6

    To accumulate in heaps by the force of wind; to be driven into heaps.

    Snow or sand drifts.
  7. 7

    To make a drift; to examine a vein or ledge for the purpose of ascertaining the presence of metals or ores; to follow a vein; to prospect.

  8. 8

    To enlarge or shape, as a hole, with a drift.

  9. 9

    To oversteer a vehicle, causing loss of traction, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner. See Drifting (motorsport).

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