( of groups of people) tending to travel and change settlements frequently; " a restless mobile society"; " the nomadic habits of the Bedouins"; " believed the profession of a peregrine typist would have a happy future"; " wandering tribes"

travelling about without any clear destination; " she followed him in his wanderings and looked after him"

of Rove

The operatin of forming the rove, or slightly twisted sliver or roll of wool or cotton, by means of a machine for the purpose, called a roving frame, or roving machine.

A roll or sliver of wool or cotton drawn out and slightly twisted; a rove. See 2d Rove, 2.

The act of one who roves or wanders.

Rambling; the operation which gives the first twist to cotton thread by drawing it through an aperture.

The operation of giving the first twist to yarn by drawing it through an eye or aperture.

Act of one who roves; a rambling; a wandering.

Perhaps she has noticed the tall figure of the young Genoese in the strangers' part of the convent, perhaps not; but his roving blue eye has noticed her, and much is to come of it. – Christopher Columbus, Complete by Filson Young

But in the course of Mr. Haye's second glass of wine, his eye took a satisfied fit of roving over the company; and presently discovered something it had seen before in the figure and face opposite to him and in the eye which was somewhat carelessly running over the columns of a newspaper. – Hills of the Shatemuc by Susan Warner

Adjacent to the Lenape, and associated with them in some of the most notable passages of their history, dwelt the Shawanoes, the Chaouanons of the French, a tribe of bold, roving, and adventurous spirit. – The Conspiracy of Pontiac and the Indian War after the Conquest of Canada by Francis Parkman

A soldier of the New South Wales corps, going from Parramatta with some of his comrades for the purpose of procuring sweet tea, left them to go after a pattegorong, and lost himself in the woods: after roving about for some time, he saw a number of the natives, who fled on seeing his gun, except one that had frequently visited the settlement, and was known by the name of - Botany- Bay Colebe. – An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island by John Hunter

The Eastern blood of the Romany showed in his narrow feet and slim brown hands, and there was a wild roving look about him, which Miss Greeby had not perceived in London. – Red Money by Fergus Hume

Once they were taken by roving canoes of Indians, but made their escape, and at length arrived at the end of the island; a distance of thirty- four leagues from the harbor. – The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (Vol. II) by Washington Irving

George Prince was there, standing against the walls shrouded in his mourning cloak, watching the scene with alert, roving eyes. – Astounding Stories of Super-Science, March 1930 by Various

It was not a shadow but the passing of a shadow that caught his roving eye and as he stripped off his wind- goggles and looked again he felt by instinct for his six- shooter. – Shadow Mountain by Dane Coolidge

He went back to the roving- room with steady step, and a face as calm as though he were standing in the light of a summer sun. – Lancashire Idylls (1898) by Marshall Mather

His eyes, roving along the wall, fell upon the electric call button. – Emerson's Wife and Other Western Stories Emerson's Wife -- Colonel Kate's Protégée -- The Kid of Apache Teju -- A Blaze on Pard Huff -- How Colonel Kate Won Her Spurs -- Hollyhocks -- The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Johnson Sides -- A Piece of Wreckag by Florence Finch Kelly

Roving from one place to another was his delight; and he quickly acquired acquaintances. – The Former Philippines thru Foreign Eyes by Tomás de Comyn Fedor Jagor Rudolf Ludwig Carl Virchow Charles Wilkes

He advised that since Alfred seemed inclined to a roving life it would be better for him to be connected with a religious show than with a worldly one for he would be free from the vicious surroundings of a circus or minstrel show, and suggested that a binding contract be made with Palmer. – Watch Yourself Go By by Al. G. Field

His little black eyes were constantly roving over the dishes, studying out the problem of what was further necessary, or had become unnecessary. – How I Found Livingstone by Sir Henry M. Stanley

I saw my sister safe off, and now I am here to tell you that you are no longer a prisoner, but may make yourself comfortable by roving through my apartments. – Valerie by Frederick Marryat

Santa Claus watched her roving eyes and then said: " If you don't like what you see, look around behind the tree!" – Marjorie's New Friend by Carolyn Wells

Finally his wife came on, and she persuaded him to give up the gold hunt and his roving life and settle down in San Francisco to the practice of his profession. – Emerson's Wife and Other Western Stories Emerson's Wife -- Colonel Kate's Protégée -- The Kid of Apache Teju -- A Blaze on Pard Huff -- How Colonel Kate Won Her Spurs -- Hollyhocks -- The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Johnson Sides -- A Piece of Wreckag by Florence Finch Kelly

Should like, for instance, a roving commission such as yours- to look for a scoundrel with a lot of money- bags, who may be in London or Timbuctoo. – Dross by Henry Seton Merriman

Vercingetorix knew not that Caesar, with his usual foresight, had summoned and joined to his legions a great number of horsemen from the German tribes roving over the banks of the Rhine, with which he had taken care to keep up friendly relations. – A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times Volume I. of VI. by Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot

The green branches of peace would be waved, and he would pass in peace along the plank- way from the shore; but while he talked with Umpl and the other chiefs at the council his eyes, like a wise man's, would be roving hither and yonder, learning much about this new village and its people. – The Iron Star And what It saw on Its Journey through the Ages by John Preston True

Leaving his father's effects in the possession of his mother and brothers, Walter then followed his own roving inclinations and went to sea. – Lives Of The Most Remarkable Criminals Who have been Condemned and Executed for Murder, the Highway, Housebreaking, Street Robberies, Coining or other offences by Arthur L. Hayward