adrift
UK[əˈdrɪft]US[əˈdrɪft]
adj
floating without being anchored or steered; drifting
adj
lacking purpose, direction, or stability
Morpheme Breakdown
a
drift
a
prefix
drift
root
Etymology
the word 'adrift' is a nautical term formed within english. it combines the native english prefix 'a-', a reduced form of the old english preposition 'on', with the noun 'drift', which derives from middle english 'driften' meaning "to drive or push." 'drift' itself has germanic roots, related to dutch 'driften'. the literal, original sense was "in a state of being driven by wind or current," describing a vessel's passive movement. this concrete meaning naturally extended to the figurative sense of being without guidance, purpose, or fixed position in life, completing the journey from a physical state of floating to an abstract state of aimlessness.
Analysis
Structure: a (prefix) + drift (root)
a- (prefix of Old English origin, meaning "on, in, into a state of"); drift (root of Middle English/Dutch origin, meaning "the act of being driven")
Examples
the small boat was found adrift several miles from the shore.
after graduating, he felt adrift, unsure of what career to pursue.
the company has been financially adrift since the economic downturn.