meander

¹

[ mee-an-der ]

verb (used without object)

1. to proceed by or take a winding or indirect course:

   The stream meandered through the valley.

   Synonyms: coil, snake, twist, wind, wander

2. to wander aimlessly; ramble:

   The talk meandered on.

verb (used with object)

1. Surveying. to define the margin of (a body of water) with a meander line.

noun

1. Usually meanders. turnings or windings; a winding path or course.
2. a circuitous movement or journey.
3. an intricate variety of fret or fretwork.

Meander

²

[ mee-an-der ]

noun

1. ancient name of the Menderes ( def 2 ).

Meander

¹

/ miːˈændə /

noun

1. See Maeander
   a variant spelling of Maeander

meander

²

/ mɪˈændə /

verb

1. to follow a winding course
2. to wander without definite aim or direction

noun

1. often plural a curve or bend, as in a river
2. often plural a winding course or movement
3. an ornamental pattern, esp as used in ancient Greek architecture

meander

/ mē-ăn′dər /

1. A sinuous curve, bend, or loop along the course of a stream or river.

Derived Forms

• meˈanderer, noun
• meˈandering, adjective
• meˈanderingly, adverb
• meˈandrous, adjective

Other Words From

• me·an·der·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of meander¹

1570–80; < Latin maeander < Greek maíandros a winding, special use of Maíandros, the Menderes River, noted for its winding course

Word History and Origins

Origin of meander¹

C16: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros the River Maeander; see Menderes (sense 1)

Example Sentences

As announced in The New York Times, stores now track customers as they meander through the shop floor.

From The Daily Beast

Solnit can take up a thought and follow its meander into as-yet unrevealed territory.

From The Daily Beast

All of them meander through multiple surprises to satisfying and unexpected endings.

From The Daily Beast

The English potter and ceramist Josiah Wedgwood loved the meander.

From The Daily Beast

As it has come down to us “on the borders of pottery and textiles, the meander resembles a maze or labyrinth.”

From The Daily Beast

But I must meander back to town, and let the boys know you're in possession, safe and sound.

From Project Gutenberg

On such it appears rather as a fragment of the more complicated meander patterns, from which it is derived.

From Project Gutenberg

Professor Goodyear gives the title of “Meander” to that form of Swastika which bends two or more times (fig. 11).

From Project Gutenberg

Three have the ends bent (at right angles) four times, making a meander form, while two make only one bend.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the square and meander Swastikas (figs. 10, 11) require a rule and angle to make them exact.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drift
• ramble
• roam
• snake
• stray
• stroll
• traipse