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errance

English translation: wandering


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:errance
English translation:wandering
Entered by: Drmanu49
Options:
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16:35 Dec 14, 2009
French to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Psychology / social functioning scale
French term or phrase: errance
I get an idea of aimlessness, but can`t put my finger and the term. Thanks for your help!

Indique que la personne ne fait aucune activité.
Il est à noter que l'errance n'est pas considérée comme une activité, donc coter -3. Si l'activité principale est de regarder la télévision, vérifier si la personne choisit seule ses émissions et si elle aimerait avoir d'autres passe-temps.
NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 14:55
wandering / to err erring
Explanation:
2. err - wander from a direct course or at random; "The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her"; "don't drift from the set course" ...
www.thefreedictionary.com/err

[Middle English erren, from Old French errer, from Latin err re, to wander; see ers- in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: The pronunciation (ûr) for the ...
www.thefreedictionary.com/erring on the side -
Selected response from:

Drmanu49
Local time: 20:55
Grading comment
thanks to all!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2wandering / to err erring
Drmanu49
4shiftlessness
jmleger
3purposelessLinda Sansome
3drifting
Verginia Ophof
3roamingMatthewLaSon
3idleness
Travelin Ann


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
wandering / to err erring


Explanation:
2. err - wander from a direct course or at random; "The child strayed from the path and her parents lost sight of her"; "don't drift from the set course" ...
www.thefreedictionary.com/err

[Middle English erren, from Old French errer, from Latin err re, to wander; see ers- in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: The pronunciation (ûr) for the ...
www.thefreedictionary.com/erring on the side -

Drmanu49
Local time: 20:55
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 50
Grading comment
thanks to all!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: Not 'err / erring' — those don't normally have this meaning any more in current EN. In this specific context, I'd say something like 'merely wandering about'
40 mins
  -> OK thank you Tony.
agree  whither has fle: I agree Tony, but how about wandering around aimlessly?
1 hr
  -> Thank you.
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
shiftlessness


Explanation:
Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Héhé

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 mins (2009-12-14 16:53:57 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I have always wanted to use this word. Thanks!

jmleger
Local time: 13:55
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: I think that refers more to a perceived state of mind, whereas they seem to be likening this to an actual physical (non) activity...
36 mins
  -> a failure to be active as a consequence of lack of initiative or ambition wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
neutral  whither has fle: Hi, I might be wrong, but "shiftlessness" seems negative/dishonest to me and not a term in Psych. to describe someone a bit lost, aimless.
1 hr
  -> This is a fairly clinical definition: a failure to be active as a consequence of lack of initiative or ambition wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
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47 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
roaming


Explanation:
Hello,

I've seen this used in psychology texts before.

I hope this helps.

MatthewLaSon
Local time: 14:55
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 11

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  whither has fle: Hello Matthew..the problem with "roaming" here is that it can be great fun!
55 mins
  -> But can't "wandering" be fun, too? lol
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
idleness


Explanation:
a bit old-fashioned, in US EN, but conveys the meaning IMO

Travelin Ann
Local time: 14:55
Native speaker of: English
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
drifting


Explanation:
just another suggestion

Verginia Ophof
Belize
Local time: 12:55
Native speaker of: English
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17 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
purposeless


Explanation:
"Purposeless" means given to drifting, an indecisive, irresolute character and I don't think it carries any pejorative overtones.



Linda Sansome
France
Local time: 20:55
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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Changes made by editors
Dec 17, 2009 - Changes made by Drmanu49:
Created KOG entryKudoZ term => KOG term


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