Definitions of drift:

• noun:   a horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine

  Example: "They dug a drift parallel with the vein"

• noun:   general meaning or tenor

  Example: "Caught the drift of the conversation"

• noun:   a general tendency to change (as of opinion)
• noun:   something that is heaped up by the wind or by water currents
• noun:   a force that moves something along
• noun:   the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)
• noun:   a process of linguistic change over a period of time
• verb:   vary or move from a fixed point or course

  Example: "Stock prices are drifting higher"

• verb:   be piled up in banks or heaps by the force of wind or a current

  Example: "Snow drifting several feet high"

• verb:   be subject to fluctuation

  Example: "The stock market drifted upward"

• verb:   drive slowly and far afield for grazing

  Example: "Drift the cattle herds westwards"

• verb:   cause to be carried by a current

  Example: "Drift the boats downstream"

• verb:   move in an unhurried fashion

  Example: "The unknown young man drifted among the invited guests"

• verb:   move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

  Example: "The laborers drift from one town to the next"

• verb:   live unhurriedly, irresponsibly, or freely

  Example: "My son drifted around for years in California before going to law school"

• verb:   be in motion due to some air or water current

  Example: "The boat drifted on the lake"

• verb:   wander from a direct course or at random

  Example: "Don't drift from the set course"