DRIFTING • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Drifting

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/drˈɪftɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Drift v. t.

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

To drive into heaps; as, a current of wind drifts snow or sand.

(Mach.) To enlarge or shape, as a hole, with a drift.

Drift v. i. (past & past part. drifted; pres. part. drifting)

To float or be driven along by, or as by, a current of water or air; as, the ship drifted astern; a raft drifted ashore; the balloon drifts slowly east. "We drifted o'er the harbor bar."

To accumulate in heaps by the force of wind; to be driven into heaps; as, snow or sand drifts.

(mining) 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. (U.S.)

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Etymology of 'Drifting'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Drifting" Quotes from Famous Books

... light burning in the room in the widow's house; and all night long she debated the matter until her head ached. She could reach but one conclusion: Henry was to leave the day after to-morrow. If any communication should ever be opened between them she must begin it. It was as if she had seen him drifting away from her forever, and must throw him a rope. I think even such a woman's-right man as yourself would hardly justify her, however, in taking ...

— Duffels • Edward Eggleston

... the thin line came irregularly spurts of smoke, and the spattering of rifle shots. It reminded me of an old picture of the field of Antietam, spiritless in itself, but here made alive by the movement, the noise, the drifting smoke, and the gray monotone. I watched it while the captain explained tomorrow's work; then, glad that today had not fallen to our lot, we marched on, taking up our route step in the soft sand of an old ...

— At Plattsburg • Allen French

... of the "Illustrated News," not long since, there was what professed to be a view of Manchester. It represented a thousand tall factory-chimneys rising out of a gray mist, and surmounted by a heavy, drifting cloud of smoke. And in truth a view not very different from this was presented to any one who, standing at the entrance of the Palace of the Exhibition of Art Treasures, turned and looked back before going within. ...

— The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. I, No. 1, Nov. 1857 • Various

... of revulsion had seized Frank Merriwell. Of a sudden he had perceived whither he was drifting. He realized what false steps he had already taken, and he was ...

— Frank Merriwell's Chums • Burt L. Standish

... drifting into a state of some annoyance. Stafford was very courteous and attentive, but he drank nothing, and apparently proposed to dine off dry bread. When she began to question him about his former parish, instead of showing the gratitude that might be expected, he ...

— Father Stafford • Anthony Hope

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