driftage

[ drif-tij ]

noun

1. the action or an amount of drifting.
2. drifted matter.
3. Navigation. the amount of drift away from a set course as a result of wind and currents.
4. windage.

driftage

/ ˈdrɪftɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act of drifting
2. matter carried along or deposited by drifting
3. the amount by which an aircraft or vessel has drifted from its intended course

Word History and Origins

Origin of driftage¹

First recorded in 1760–70; drift + -age

Example Sentences

Fuel coal is also too pure to have been accumulated by driftage.

From Project Gutenberg

No more man-wrought driftage came our way, but other signs multiplied.

From Project Gutenberg

Experience has given directions for its use, avoiding some of the grosser causes of error from driftage and other causes.

From Project Gutenberg

Also they were scrubs—the dirty driftage of the fight game, without honor, without efficiency.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the heaps of sea-weed there were sometimes small pieces of painted wood, bark, and other driftage.

From Project Gutenberg