/euh floht"/ , adv. , adj.
1. floating or borne on the water; in a floating condition: The ship was set afloat.
2. on board a ship, boat, raft, etc.; at sea: cargo afloat and ashore.
3. covered with water; flooded; awash: The main deck was afloat.
4. moving without being guided or controlled; drifting.
5. passing from place to place; in circulation: A rumor is afloat.
6. free of major trouble, esp. financially solvent: to keep a venture afloat.
[ bef. 1000; ME, OE on flote. See A- 1 , FLOAT ]