Drive

1drive pronunciation: function: verb inflected form(s): drove ; driv;en ; driv;ing etymology: middle english, from old english drīfan; akin to old high german trīban to drivedate: before 12th centurytransitive verb 1 a : to frighten or prod (as game or cattle) into moving in a desired direction b : to go through (an area) driving game animals2 : to carry on or through energetically lt;drives a hard bargaingt;3 a : to impart a forward motion to by physical force lt;waves drove the boat ashoregt; b : to repulse, remove, or cause to go by force, authority, or influence lt;drive the enemy backgt; c : to set or keep in motion or operation lt;drive machinery by electricitygt; d basketball : to move quickly and forcefully down or along lt;drive the lanegt; lt;drive the baselinegt;4 a : to direct the motions and course of (a draft animal) b : to operate the mechanism and controls and direct the course of (as a vehicle) lt;drive a cargt; c : to convey in a vehicle lt;his father drove me homegt; d : to float (logs) down a stream5 a : to exert inescapable or coercive pressure on : force lt;driven by his passionsgt; b : to compel to undergo or suffer a change (as in situation or emotional state) lt;drove him crazygt; lt;drove her out of businessgt; c : to urge relentlessly to continuous exertion lt;the sergeant drove his recruitsgt; d : to press or force into an activity, course, or direction lt;the drug habit drives addicts to stealgt; e : to project, inject, or impress incisively lt;drove her point homegt;6 : to force (a passage) by pressing or digging7 a : to propel (an object of play) swiftly or forcefully lt;drove a long fly ball to the warning trackgt; b : to hit (a golf ball) from the tee especially with a driver; also : to drive a golf ball onto (a green) c : to cause (a run or runner) to be scored in baseball —usually used with in8 : to give shape or impulse to lt;factors that drive the business cyclegt; lt;the ideas that have driven historygt;intransitive verb 1 a : to dash, plunge, or surge ahead rapidly or violently b : to progress with strong momentum lt;the rain was driving hardgt; c : to make a quick and forceful move in basketball lt;driving to the hoopgt;2 a : to operate a vehicle b : to have oneself carried in a vehicle3 : to drive a golf ballsynonyms see move— driv;abil;i;ty also drive;abil;i;ty noun — driv;able also drive;able adjective — drive at : to intend to express, convey, or accomplish lt;did not understand what she was driving at — eric goldmangt;