cruise

views updated Jun 11 2018

cruise / kroōz/ • v. [intr.] sail about in an area without a precise destination, esp. for pleasure: they were cruising off the California coast | [tr.] she cruised the canals of France. ∎  take a vacation on a ship or boat following a predetermined course, usually calling in at several ports. ∎  (of a vehicle or person) travel or move slowly around without a specific destination in mind: a police van cruised past us | [tr.] aimlessly cruising the mall. ∎  (of a motor vehicle or aircraft) travel smoothly at a moderate or economical speed. ∎  achieve an objective with ease, esp. in sports: he cruised to an easy victory. ∎  [tr.] inf. wander about (a place) in search of a sexual partner. ∎  [tr.] inf. attempt to pick up (a sexual partner).• n. a voyage on a ship or boat taken for pleasure or as a holiday and usually calling in at several places: a cruise down the Nile | [as adj.] a cruise liner.

cruise

views updated Jun 27 2018

cruise vb. XVII. prob. — Du. kruisen cross, f. kruis sb. (cf. CROSS 1).
So cruiser XVII.