noun
- anything that stays, or causes something else to stay, on the surface of a liquid or suspended near the surface; specif.,
- an air-filled bladder, as in a fish
- a cork on a fishing line
- a floating ball or device that regulates the valve controlling water level, as in a tank, or fuel supply, as in a carburetor
- a raftlike platform anchored near a shore, as for use by swimmers
- ☆ a life preserver
- a buoyant device on an aircraft to enable it to land or remain on water
- a low, flat, decorated vehicle for carrying exhibits, tableaux, etc. in a parade
- this vehicle together with its exhibit, tableau, etc.
- a flat tool for smoothing or spreading cement, plaster, etc.
- a thread that is brought to the surface of a cloth in weaving, esp. to form a pattern
- ☆ a cold beverage with ice cream floating in it: root beer float
- the act or an instance of floating
- any of the various styles of floating executed by swimmers
- the act of allowing a currency to float on the market
- ☆ Banking the total value of checks or drafts in transit and not yet collected
Origin:
ME flote < OE flota, that which floats, ship, fleet < base of fleotan: see fleet
intransitive verb
- to stay on the surface of a liquid or suspended near the surface
- to drift or move slowly or easily on water, in air, etc.: leaves floating down from the trees
- ☆ to move or drift about vaguely and without purpose: idle thoughts floating through the mind
- to fluctuate freely in relationship to other currencies, as determined by supply and demand: said of a currency
Origin:
ME flotien < OE flotian