This is the 3225th most frequent Portuguese word.
deriva
"Deriva" means "drift" or "deviation."
The word 'deriva' is used to describe the condition of being directionless or uncontrolled, typically in the context of sailing or floating.
O barco estava à deriva no meio do oceano.
The boat was adrift in the middle of the ocean.
In this context, 'deriva' metaphorically refers to an unplanned or unexpected course or direction in an abstract manner.
A conversa tomou uma deriva inesperada.
The conversation took an unexpected turn.
Here, 'deriva' is used metaphorically to express the movement or wandering tendency of thoughts in one's mind.