transcription, транскрипция: [ ə-ˈflōt ]
adjective or adverb
Etymology: Middle English aflot, from Old English on flot, from on + flot, from flot deep water, sea; akin to Old English flēotan to float — more at fleet
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : borne on or as if on the water
b. : being at sea
2. : free of difficulties : self-sufficient
the inheritance kept them afloat for years
3.
a. : circulating about
nasty stories were afloat
b. : adrift