Part 3476

<hw>Drift</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Drifted</er>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Drifting</er>.]</wordforms>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To float or be driven along by, or as by, a current of water or air; <as>as, the ship <ex>drifted</ex> astern; a raft <ex>drifted</ex> ashore; the balloon <ex>drifts</ex> slowly east.</as></def>

<blockquote>We <b>drifted</b> o'er the harbor bar. <i> Coleridge.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To accumulate in heaps by the force of wind; to be driven into heaps; <as>as, snow or sand <ex>drifts</ex></as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(mining)</fld> <def>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.</def> <mark>[U.S.]</mark>

<h1>Drift</h1> <Xpage=454>

<hw>Drift</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To drive or carry, as currents do a floating body.</def>

<i>J. H. Newman.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To drive into heaps; <as>as, a current of wind <ex>drifts</ex> snow or sand</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Mach.)</fld> <def>To enlarge or shape, as a hole, with a drift.</def>

<h1>Drift</h1> <Xpage=454>

<hw>Drift</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>That causes drifting or that is drifted; movable by wind or currents; <as>as, <ex>drift</ex> currents; <ex>drift</ex> ice; <ex>drift</ex> mud.</as></def>

<i>Kane.</i>

<cs><col>Drift anchor</col>. <cd>See <er>Sea anchor</er>, and also <i>Drag sail<i>, under <er>Drag</er>, <tt>n.</tt></cd> -- <col>Drift epoch</col> <fld>(Geol.)</fld>, <cd>the glacial epoch.</cd> -- <col>Drift net</col>, <cd>a kind of fishing net.</cd> -- <col>Drift sail</col>. <cd>Same as <i>Drag sail<i>. See under <er>Drag</er>, <tt>n.</tt></cd></cs>

<h1>Driftage</h1> <Xpage=454>

<hw>Drift"age</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Deviation from a ship's course due to leeway.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Anything that drifts.</def>

<h1>Driftbolt</h1> <Xpage=454>

<hw>Drift"bolt`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A bolt for driving out other bolts.</def>

<h1>Driftless</h1> <Xpage=454>

<hw>Drift"less</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Having no drift or direction; without aim; purposeless.</def>

<h1>Driftpiece</h1> <Xpage=454>

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

<h1>Driftpin</h1> <Xpage=454>

<hw>Drift"pin`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <fld>(Mech.)</fld> <def>A smooth drift. See <er>Drift</er>, <tt>n.</tt>, 9.</def>

<h1>Driftway</h1> <Xpage=454>

<hw>Drift"way`</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>