Wan'der1, v. i.
(wŏn'der), v. i. [imp. & p. p. WANDERED; p. pr. & vb. n. WANDERING.] [A-S. wandrian, wandorian, O. D. wanderen, M. & N. H. Ger. wandern, Sw. vandra, Dan. vandre, Icel. andra, to wander; A-S. wandlian, to be changeable, to change; O. H. Ger. wandalōn, wantalōn, to be changed; M. & N. H. Ger. wandeln, D. wandelen, to walk, to wander, to trade, to change, allied to A-S. vendan, to change, to go, to come; vindan, to be borne around; Eng. wend and wind, q. v.]
Sense 1. To ramble here and there without any certain course or object in view; to range about; to stroll; to rove; as, to wander over the fields; to wander about the town, or about the country.
They wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins. Heb. xi. 37.
He wandereth abroad for bread. Job xv. 23.
Sense 2. To go away; to depart; to stray off; to deviate; to go astray. “Wandering thoughts and motions vain.” Milton.
When God caused me to wander from my father's house. Gen. xx. 13.
O, let me not wander from thy commandments. Ps. cxix. 10.
Sense 3. To be delirious; not to be under the guidance of reason; as, the mind wanders.
Synonyms—To roam; rove; range; stroll; gad; stray; straggle; err; swerve; deviate; depart.