Part 539

9. (Mech.) A slightly tapered tool of steel for enlarging or shaping a hole in metal, by being forced or driven into or through it; a broach.

10. (Mil.) (a) A tool used in driving down compactly the composition contained in a rocket, or like firework. (b) A deviation from the line of fire, peculiar to oblong projectiles.

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

12. (Naut.) (a) The distance through which a current flows in a given time. (b) The angle which the line of a ship's motion makes with the meridian, in drifting. (c) The distance to which a vessel is carried off from her desired course by the wind, currents, or other causes. (d) The place in a deep-waisted vessel where the sheer is raised and the rail is cut off, and usually terminated with a scroll, or driftpiece. (e) The distance between the two blocks of a tackle.

13. The difference between the size of a bolt and the hole into which it is driven, or between the circumference of a hoop and that of the mast on which it is to be driven.

Drift is used also either adjectively or as the first part of a compound. See Drift, a.

Drift of the forest (O. Eng. Law), an examination or view of the cattle in a forest, in order to see whose they are, whether they are commonable, and to determine whether or not the forest is surcharged. Burrill.

Drift, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Drifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Drifting.] 1. 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.

Coleridge.

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

3. (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.]

Drift (?), v. t. 1. To drive or carry, as currents do a floating body. J. H. Newman.

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

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

Drift, a. That causes drifting or that is drifted; movable by wind or currents; as, drift currents; drift ice; drift mud. Kane.

Drift anchor. See Sea anchor, and also Drag sail, under Drag, n. - - Drift epoch (Geol.), the glacial epoch. -- Drift net, a kind of fishing net. -- Drift sail. Same as Drag sail. See under Drag, n.

Drift"age (?), n. 1. Deviation from a ship's course due to leeway.

2. Anything that drifts.

Drift"bolt` (?), n. A bolt for driving out other bolts.

Drift"less, a. Having no drift or direction; without aim; purposeless.

Drift"piece" (?), n. (Shipbuilding) An upright or curved piece of timber connecting the plank sheer with the gunwale; also, a scroll terminating a rail.

Drift"pin` (?), n. (Mech.) A smooth drift. See Drift, n., 9.

Drift"way` (?), n. 1. A common way, road, or path, for driving cattle. Cowell. Burrill.

2. (Mining) Same as Drift, 11.

Drift"weed` (?), n. Seaweed drifted to the shore by the wind. Darwin.

Drift"wind` (?), n. A driving wind; a wind that drives snow, sand, etc., into heaps. Beau. & Fl.

Drift"wood` (?), n. 1. Wood drifted or floated by water.