to potter

[constantinusphilo]

'I'm starving to death,' he said, retying the knot of his bathrobe and pottering over to the refrigerator.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Here, 'pottering' is used in the meaning of 'padding'. I don't think this usage is correct.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't know exactly what you mean by 'padding' but I'm pretty sure what you say is not right.

It's clear from the context that the writer is describing the action of going to the refrigerator. Look at a few dictionary entries to get a sense of the different ways this word can be used, and then apply that sense to this context.

 

[constantinusphilo]

I cannot find any appropriate meaning of 'potter' in any of the dictionaries I have consulted. Webster, for instance, defines 'potter' as 'idling around', that's all.

 

[5jj]

And the AHD defines it as: 2. To walk or move in an unhurried or casual manner.

 

[tzfujimino]

As he was "starving to death", he must have been moving slowly with little energy.

Potter definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

Potter definition: A potter is someone who makes pottery. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples

www.collinsdictionary.com

 

[Tdol]

It does strike me as an odd way to describe starvation- staggering might work better IMO.

 

[5jj]

The man was simply exaggerating the hunger he felt.