Etymology
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drifter (n.)

1864, as a mining term for one who excavates "drifts" (in the specialized sense of "horizontal passages"); by 1883 as "boat fishing with drift-nets;" agent noun from drift (v.). Meaning "vagrant, man following an aimless way of life" is from 1908.

Entries linking to drifter

drift (v.)

late 16c., "to float or be driven along by a current," from drift (n.). Transitive sense of "to drive in heaps" is from 1610s. Figurative sense of "be passive and listless" is from 1822. Related: Drifted; drifting. To drift apart "gradually lose mutual affection" is by 1859.

updated on October 09, 2018

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Dictionary entries near drifter

drib

dribble

driblet

drier

drift

drifter

drift-net

driftwood

drill

drink

drinkable

© 2001-2023 Douglas Harper