Meander

Meander

Verb / Noun · /miˈæn.dər/

Definition

(Verb) to follow a winding, indirect course; to wander slowly and without purpose or direction; (of a river) to wind in curves across a plain; (Noun) a winding curve or bend in a river; a casual, winding route or walk; in art and architecture, a decorative motif of continuous angular or rounded spirals.

Origin

From the River Maeander (now Büyük Menderes) in western Anatolia, Turkey, renowned in antiquity for its extremely winding course. The river's name appears in ancient Greek as Maiandros and was used as a common noun for a winding course as early as the 5th century BCE. The architectural meander pattern — also called the Greek key pattern — derives from the same source.