drift etymology

Etymology:

The word "drift" comes from the Middle English word "drifen," which means "to drive" or "to move with the current."

Meaning:

• Verb:
  • To move or be carried along by a current or wind.
  • To sail or float without a definite course.
  • To allow oneself to be guided by an impulse or desire.
• Noun:
  • A current or stream of water, air, or other fluid.
  • A direction or tendency in which something moves.
  • A gradual accumulation of snow, sand, or other material.

Origin:

The verb "drifen" is believed to have originated from Proto-Germanic "dreiban," which also means "to drive." This word is likely related to the Proto-Indo-European root "*dʰrew-," meaning "to run."

Over time, the word "drifen" evolved into the Middle English "drifen" and eventually into the modern English word "drift."

drift relate terms

• drive

  Etymology The word drive has its roots in Old English deriving from the verb drīfan

• adrift

  Etymology Middle English adrift adryft from Old English on drift driven on afloat

• drift

  Etymology The word drift comes from the Middle English word drifen which means to

• spindrift

  Etymology Spindrift is a compound word derived from two Old English words Spin To sc

• roll

  Etymology The Old English word rollen meant to roll or turn over It is derived from

• wander

  Etymology Old English wanderian from Proto Germanic wandrjaną to wander Relate

• fleet

  Etymology The word fleet has its origins in the Old English word fleotan meaning t

• tenor

  Etymology The word tenor comes from the Latin word tenere meaning to hold Meanin

• stray

  Etymology Stray derives from Middle English straien meaning to wander or to stra

• swan

  Etymology The word swan comes from the Middle English word swane which is derived f

• mass

  Etymology The word mass has origins in multiple languages Latin missa meaning d

• purport

  Etymology The word purport comes from the Latin word portare which means to carry