əˈflōt, usu -ōd.+V adverb (or adjective)
Etymology: Middle English aflote, aflot, from Old English on flote, on flot, from on + flote, flot, dative & accusative respectively of flot deep water, sea; akin to Old English flēotan to float — more at float
1.
a. : borne on the water : not aground : floating
though badly battered, the boat remained afloat
b. : at sea : away from port
all the ships are still afloat
c. : buoyed up, floating, or suspended on, in, or as if on or in water, air, or any similar medium
water lilies placidly afloat
her hair afloat in the summer breeze
afloat on a tide of happiness — Marcia Davenport
d. : on shipboard — used of persons or goods
preference for duty afloat — Louis Auchincloss
a large quantity of wheat still afloat
2. : free of difficulties, especially financial ones or those requiring the intervention of outside assistance : self-sufficient
the inheritance kept them afloat for years
3.
a. : circulating about from one individual or place to another : rumored
a story was afloat that they faced bankruptcy
b. : moving about haphazardly without guide or control : adrift
they were confused, afloat , unable to plan for the future
4. : flooded with or submerged under water : awash
the ship's main deck was afloat
5. : actively functioning : fully operating
a neat publishing venture, set afloat at the right time