Adjective

(en adjective)

Floating at random.

So on the sea shall be set adrift . --Dryden.

(of a seaman) Absent from his watch.

Behind one's opponents, or below a required threshold in terms of score, number or position.

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, year=2014 , date=December 21 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Liverpool 2 - 2 Arsenal , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=Brendan Rodgers's team moved into the top 10 in the Premier League table, but they are nine points adrift of West Ham in fourth place, while Arsenal are sixth.}}

Adjective

(en adjective)

(lb) Empty, vacant.

Not turned to appropriate use; not occupied.

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Not engaged in any occupation or employment; unemployed; inactive; doing nothing.

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*:Molly the dairymaid came a little way from the rickyard, and said she would pluck the pigeon that very night after work. She was always ready to do anything for us boys; and we could never quite make out why they scolded her so for an idle hussy indoors. It seemed so unjust. Looking back, I recollect she had very beautiful brown eyes.

Averse to work, labor or employment; lazy; slothful.

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*:“I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle , brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers, the worn-out, passionless men, the enervated matrons of the summer capital,!”

Of no importance; useless; worthless; vain; trifling; thoughtless; silly.

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(lb) Light-headed; foolish.

:(Ford)