perambulate
Definitions
To walk about or stroll, especially in a leisurely way.
漫步，闲逛（尤指从容地四处走动）。
To walk through or around an area in order to inspect or survey it, especially its boundaries.
巡行，徒步巡视（尤指巡查某地的边界）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedper- (through, all over) + ambul (walk) = walk all the way through or around a place. Hence two senses: to stroll about, and to walk an area to inspect it (old parishes were 'perambulated' to confirm their boundaries). Its noun perambulator — the carriage you walk a baby around in — is clipped to pram in British English.
Root ambul still carries 4 more wordsUsage Guide
Formal and rather literary/archaic; in everyday English you would just say walk around or stroll. It survives mainly in two niches: humorous or elevated description of strolling, and the technical/legal sense of inspecting boundaries on foot. Its derivative perambulator (clipped to pram) is far more common in British English than the verb itself.
Example Sentences
- 1.
They perambulated through the old town, stopping at every little shop.
- 2.
Each year the council members perambulate the parish to check its boundaries.
- 3.
He likes to perambulate the garden after dinner.