roving Definition

rove¹
verb roved, roving

intr
1. To roam about aimlessly.

Thesaurus: roam, wander, ramble, stray, drift, meander, range, stroll, traipse, gallivant; Antonym: stay.
2. To wander over or through (a particular area, place, etc).
intr
3. Said of the eyes: to keep looking in different directions; to wander.

noun

1. The act of roving.

Etymology: 16c: perhaps ultimately from Scandinavian.

---

rove²
verb

roved, roving
1. To twist (fibres of cotton or wool) slightly in preparation for spinning.

noun

1. A roved strand of fibre.

Etymology: 18c.

---

roving
adj

1. Wandering; likely to ramble or stray.
2. Not confined to one particular place.

Example: roving commission

Derivative: rovingly
adverb

Idiom: have a roving eye

To have a tendency to show passing sexual interest in one person after another.