deambulate

Deambulate is a verb meaning to move about on foot; to walk or stroll; to roam from place to place by walking. In general English usage, it describes the act of moving on foot rather than riding or being carried.

Etymology: The word derives from the French déambuler, meaning to wander or roam about, which itself comes from ambuler "to walk" (from Latin ambulare). The prefix de- in this word reflects the historical French form that entered English, rather than a simple reversal of meaning.

Usage: In medical and clinical contexts, deambulate describes a patient’s ability to walk or to resume walking after illness, injury, or immobilization. The verb forms are deambulates, deambulating, and deambulated. It is rarer in everyday language; many writers and editors prefer ambulate or ambulation to convey the same idea.

See also: Ambulation, Ambulatory, Ambulate.