errant
UK: ˈerənt | US: ˈerənt
adj. 1. traveling or wandering, especially in search of adventure (e.g., an errant knight).
adj. 2. straying from the proper course or standards (e.g., errant behavior).
errant = err<to stray> + ant<adjective suffix>
- err (from Latin errare, meaning "to wander, go astray")
- ant (a suffix forming adjectives, often from verbs, indicating "doing or performing the action")
Etymology Origin:
The word errant traces back to Old French errant (present participle of errer, "to travel or wander"), derived from Latin errare ("to stray, wander"). Originally, it described knights or travelers roaming in search of adventure (knight errant). Over time, it acquired a negative connotation, implying deviation from norms (e.g., errant missile). The root err- also appears in error and erratic, consistently tied to the idea of straying.
The errant knight roamed the countryside, helping those in need.
An errant golf ball shattered the car’s windshield.
The teacher corrected the student’s errant calculations.
His errant behavior at the meeting drew criticism.
The shepherd searched for his errant sheep in the hills.