desire line UK /dɪˈzaɪə laɪn/US /dɪˈzaɪɹ laɪn/ noun1 •A path that pedestrians or vehicles take informally rather than taking a sidewalk or set route, for example, a well-worn ribbon of dirt cutting across a patch of grass, or a path in the snow.Study participants also drew charts of pedestrian traffic to take note of what are delightfully termed "desire lines" – paths actually made by walkers as opposed to those created on the drawing board. — 1987 formsdesire lines
