wander

English

/ˈwɑndɚ/, /ˈwɒndə/

verb
Definitions
  • (intransitive) To move without purpose or specified destination; often in search of livelihood.
  • (intransitive) To stray; stray from one's course; err.
  • (intransitive) To commit adultery.
  • (intransitive) To go somewhere indirectly or at varying speeds; to move in a curved path.
  • (intransitive) Of the mind, to lose focus or clarity of argument or attention.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English wandren inherited from Old English wandrian (roam, change, stray, hover, err, fly around, wander) inherited from Proto-Germanic *wandrōną (wander) derived from Proto-Indo-European *wendʰ- (wind, turn, braid, wrap, twist, weave, wool, hair, bend, beard) affix from English wend.

Origin

English

wend

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms