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fleet1 definition

fleet (flēt)

noun

    1. a number of warships under one command, usually in a definite area of operation
    2. the entire naval force of a country; navy
  1. any group of ships, trucks, buses, airplanes, etc. acting together or under one control

Etymology: ME flete < OE fleot < fleotan, to float: see fleet

fleet2 definition

fleet (flēt)

intransitive verb

  1. Obsolete to float; swim
  2. to move swiftly; flit; fly
  3. Archaic to pass away swiftly; disappear

Etymology: ME fleten < OE fleotan, akin to Ger fliessen < IE *pleud- < base *pleu-, flow

transitive verb

  1. Rare to pass away (time)
  2. Naut. to change the position of (a rope, pulley block, etc.)

adjective

  1. swift; rapid
  2. Old Poet. evanescent

Related Forms:

fleet3 definition

fleet (flēt)

noun

a small inlet; creek

Etymology: ME flete < OE fleot, akin to Du vliet: base as in fleet

fleet Idioms

the Fleet

  1. a former small creek in London, now a covered sewer
  2. a debtor's prison which stood near this creek

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