driftway, drift-way
(ˈdrɪftweɪ)
[f. drift n. + way.]
1. A lane or road along which cattle or horses are driven to pasture or market; a drove-road: see also quot. 1884. (In local use.)
| 1611 Award conc. Holland Fen, Lincolnsh., The said commoners..to leave a driftway for the cattle and beasts of the said Edward Dymocke. 1772 Rhode Isl. Colonial Rec. (1862) VII. 54 An Act empowering the several town councils..to lay out drift-ways in their respective towns. 1880 Williams Rights of Common 324 A way may be either a footway, or a bridleway, or a driftway for cattle. 1884 Hale Christm. in Narragansett xi. 41 ‘Driftway’..is..a cross-road to the sea by which the sea-weed..may be hauled up to their homes. |
2. Naut. The amount by which a vessel drifts out of her course; lee-way.
| 1721 Bailey, Drift Way, (of a Ship) is the same as Lee⁓way. 1867 in Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. |
3. Mining, etc. = drift n. 15; also, a small gallery driven in advance of a tunnel, etc.
| 1843 Penny Cycl. XXV. 371/2 The miners begin to excavate laterally by forming a heading or driftway along the level of the upper part of the tunnel. Sometimes such a drift is formed throughout the whole length of the tunnel before any part is opened out to the full size. 1861 Smiles Engineers I. 444 The excavations..proceeded in opposite directions to meet the other driftways..in progress. |