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drifting

/ˈdɹɪftɪŋ/

verb

Meaning

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

    "The balloon was drifting in the breeze."

  • To move haphazardly without any destination.

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

  • To deviate gently from the intended direction of travel.

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

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

  • To drive into heaps.

    "A current of wind drifts snow or sand"

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

    "Snow or sand drifts."

  • 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.

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

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

noun

Meaning

  • The act by which something drifts.

  • That which drifts.

  • A driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner.

adjective

Meaning

  • Moving aimlessly or at the mercy of external forces.

    "The drifting seaweed went wherever the currents carried it."

  • Without direction, focus, or goal.