Definition of Drifting

1. Adjective. Continually changing especially as from one abode or occupation to another. "Vagrant hippies of the sixties"

Exact synonyms: Aimless, Floating, Vagabond, Vagrant
Similar to: Unsettled
Derivative terms: Aimlessness, Vagabond, Vagabond, Vagrancy, Vagrant

2. Noun. Aimless wandering from place to place.
Generic synonyms: Roving, Vagabondage, Wandering
Derivative terms: Drift, Drift

Definition of Drifting

1. Adjective. Having the property of moving aimlessly or at the mercy of external forces. ¹

2. Verb. (present participle of drift) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Drifting

1. drift [v] - See also: drift

Medical Definition of Drifting

1. Random movement of a tooth to a position of greater stability. (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Drifting

drift space
drift spaces
drift surface
drift velocity
drift wave
driftage
driftages
driftbolt
driftbolts
drifted
drifter
drifters
driftfish
driftier
driftiest
drifting (current term)
drifting(a)
driftingly
driftless
driftnet
driftnets
driftnetted
driftnetting
driftpin
driftpins
drifts
driftway
driftways
driftweed
driftweeds

Literary usage of Drifting

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Songs of Three Centuries by John Greenleaf Whittier (1890)
"drifting, slowly drifting through the vessels in the bay, From those I love upon the shore, I drift and drift away. drifting, slowly drifting to the great ..."

2. Index of Mining Engineering Literature: Comprising an Index of Mining by Walter Richard Crane (1912)
"COST OF drifting ON THE RAND. Gold Mines of the Rand, p. 259. J page. ... Sei. Press, vol. 88, pp. 128 and 147. Tables. COST OF drifting IN THE ..."

3. Nature by Norman Lockyer, Nature Publishing Group (1875)
"The men of the unfortunate Hansa proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as possible on their drifting island of ice, which at first was about seven ..."

4. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1870)
"Preliminary Paper on certain drifting Motions of the Stars." By RICHARD A. PROCTOR, BA, FRAS Communicated by WARREN DE LA RUE, VPRS Received October 26, ..."

5. Library of the World's Best Literature: Ancient and Modern by Edward Cornelius Towne (1897)
"This is true pre-eminently of the graceful and familiar 'drifting,' which with its ... drifting M' Y SOUL to-day Is far away, Sailing the Vesuvian Bay; ..."

6. Travel and Adventure in the Territory of Alaska: Formerly Russian America by Frederick Whymper (1868)
"XXL] drifting DOWN STREAM. CHAPTER XXI. DESCENT OF THE YUKON. drifting down the stream — Yukon salmon — Arrival at Nulato— Overdose of arsenic and alcohol ..."

7. Report of the Annual Meeting (1876)
"... of the study of the drifting-power of the tidal currents and that of wind-waves on the coast of Ireland ; and to illustrate these general conclusions, ..."

8. The Sermons of Henry Ward Beecher: In Plymouth Church, Brooklyn by Henry Ward Beecher, Truman Jeremiah Ellinwood (1869)
"When earnest impulses cease, then, unless something holds the soul steadfast, it drifts ; and drifting is far more dangerous to a soul than to a ship. ..."

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