cruise

—cruisingly, adv.

/kroohz/, v., cruised, cruising, n.

v.i.

1. to sail about on a pleasure trip.

2. to sail about, as a warship patrolling a body of water.

3. to travel about without a particular purpose or destination.

4. to fly, drive, or sail at a constant speed that permits maximum operating efficiency for sustained travel.

5. to travel at a moderately fast, easily controllable speed: cruising along the highway enjoying the scenery.

6. to travel about slowly, looking for customers or for something demanding attention: Taxis and police cars cruise in the downtown area.

7. to go or travel (often fol. by over): Let's cruise over to my house after the concert.

8. Informal. to go about on the streets or in public areas in search of a sexual partner.

v.t.

9. to cruise in (a specified area): patrol cars cruising the neighborhood; to cruise the Caribbean.

10. Informal.

a. to move slowly through or visit (a street, park, bar, etc.) in search of a sexual partner.

b. to make sexual overtures to; attempt to arouse the sexual interest of.

11. to inspect (a tract of forest) for the purpose of estimating lumber potential.

n.

12. the act of cruising.

13. a pleasure voyage on a ship, usually with stops at various ports.

[1645-55; < D kruisen to cross, cruise, deriv. of kruis CROSS]

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(as used in expressions)

cruise missile

Cruise Tom

Thomas Cruise Mapother IV

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