float

Definitions

1. 1intransitive verb

   Anything which floats or rests on the surface of a fluid, as to sustain weight, or to indicate the height of the surface, or mark the place of, something.

2. 2intransitive verb

   A mass of timber or boards fastened together, and conveyed down a stream by the current; a raft.

3. 3intransitive verb

   The hollow, metallic ball of a self-acting faucet, which floats upon the water in a cistern or boiler.

4. 4intransitive verb

   The cork or quill used in angling, to support the bait line, and indicate the bite of a fish.

5. 5intransitive verb

   Anything used to buoy up whatever is liable to sink; an inflated bag or pillow used by persons learning to swim; a life preserver.

6. 6intransitive verb

   A float board. See Float board (below).

7. 7intransitive verb

   A contrivance for affording a copious stream of water to the heated surface of an object of large bulk, as an anvil or die.

8. 8intransitive verb

   The act of flowing; flux; flow.

9. 9intransitive verb

   A quantity of earth, eighteen feet square and one foot deep.

10. 10intransitive verb

    The trowel or tool with which the floated coat of plastering is leveled and smoothed.

11. 11intransitive verb

    A polishing block used in marble working; a runner.

12. 12intransitive verb

    A single-cut file for smoothing; a tool used by shoemakers for rasping off pegs inside a shoe.

13. 13intransitive verb

    A coal cart.

14. 14intransitive verb

    The sea; a wave. See Flote.

15. 15noun

    To rest on the surface of any fluid; to swim; to be buoyed up.

16. 16noun

    To move quietly or gently on the water, as a raft; to drift along; to move or glide without effort or impulse on the surface of a fluid, or through the air.

17. 17transitive verb

    To cause to float; to cause to rest or move on the surface of a fluid; as, the tide floated the ship into the harbor.

18. 18transitive verb

    To flood; to overflow; to cover with water.

19. 19transitive verb

    To pass over and level the surface of with a float while the plastering is kept wet.

20. 20transitive verb

    To support and sustain the credit of, as a commercial scheme or a joint-stock company, so as to enable it to go into, or continue in, operation.

21. 21noun

    an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy

22. 22noun

    something that floats on the surface of water

23. 23noun

    a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco

24. 24noun

    an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade

25. 25noun

    a drink with ice cream floating in it

26. 26noun

    the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public

27. 27noun

    the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment

28. 28verb

    convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation

    "float data"

29. 29verb

    allow (currencies) to fluctuate

    "The government floated the ruble for a few months"

30. 30verb

    make the surface of level or smooth

    "float the plaster"

31. 31verb

    put into the water

    "float a ship"

32. 32verb

    move lightly, as if suspended

    "The dancer floated across the stage"

33. 33verb

    set afloat

    "He floated the logs down the river"

    "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond"

34. 34verb

    be in motion due to some air or water current

    "The leaves were blowing in the wind"

    "the boat drifted on the lake"

    Synonyms

    blowdrift
35. 35verb

    be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom

    Synonyms

    swim
36. 36verb

    circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with

    "The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"