[float] n [ME flote boat, float, fr. OE flota ship; akin to OHG floz raft, stream, OE fleotan to float--more at fleet] (bef. 12c) 1: an act or instance of floating
2: something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid: as a: a device (as a cork) buoying up the baited end of a fishing line b: a floating platform anchored near a shoreline for use by swimmers or boats c: a hollow ball that floats at the end of a lever in a cistern, tank, or boiler and regulates the liquid level d: a sac containing air or gas and buoying up the body of a plant or animal--compare pneumatophore 1 e: a watertight structure giving an airplane buoyancy on water
3: a tool or apparatus for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete)
4: a government grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey out of a larger specific tract
5. a: a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade b: the vehicle and exhibit together
6. a: an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection b: the time between a transaction (as the writing of a check or a purchase on credit) and the actual withdrawal of funds to cover it c: the volume of a company's shares available for active trading in the auction market 7: a soft drink with ice cream floating in it -- floaty adj
[2]float vi (bef. 12c) 1: to rest on the surface of or be suspended in a fluid
2. a: to drift on or through or as if on or through a fluid "yellow leaves ~ed down" b: wander 3 of a currency: to find a level in the international exchange market in response to the law of supply and demand and without any restrictive effect of artificial support or control ~ vt 1 a: to cause to float in or on the surface of a fluid b: to cause to float as if in a fluid
2: flood "~ a cranberry bog"
3: to smooth (as plaster or cement) with a float
4. a: to put forth (as a proposal) for acceptance b: to place (an issue of securities) on the market c: to obtain money for the establishment or development of (an enterprise) by issuing and selling securities d: negotiate "~ a loan"