migrate

Migrate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Migrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Migrating.]

Etymology: [L. migratus, p. p. of migrare to migrate, transfer.]

1. To remove from one country or region to another, with a view to residence; to change one's place of residence; to remove; as, the Moors who migrated from Africa into Spain; to migrate to the West.

2. To pass periodically from one region or climate to another for feeding or breeding; -- said of certain birds, fishes, and quadrupeds.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for migrate; he lists it under emigrate.

Where he writes about it:

To migrate is to change one's dwelling-place, usually with the idea of repeated change, or of periodical return; it applies to wandering tribes of men, and to many birds and animals. — from emigrate

Synonyms

emigrate immigrate

Antonyms

abide

etymology Webster’s online