FLOAT

float

(noun) something that floats on the surface of water

float, plasterer's float

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

float

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

float

(noun) the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public

float

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

float

(verb) convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation; “float data”

float

(verb) allow (currencies) to fluctuate; “The government floated the ruble for a few months”

float

(verb) make the surface of level or smooth; “float the plaster”

float

(verb) put into the water; “float a ship”

float

(verb) move lightly, as if suspended; “The dancer floated across the stage”

float

(verb) set afloat; “He floated the logs down the river”; “The boy floated his toy boat on the pond”

float, drift, be adrift, blow

(verb) be in motion due to some air or water current; “The leaves were blowing in the wind”; “the boat drifted on the lake”; “The sailboat was adrift on the open sea”; “the shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore”

float, swim

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

float

(verb) circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with; “The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

float (third-person singular simple present floats, present participle floating, simple past and past participle floated)

(intransitive) Of an object or substance, to be supported by a liquid of greater density than the object so as that part of the object or substance remains above the surface.

(transitive) To cause something to be suspended in a liquid of greater density.

(intransitive) To be capable of floating.

(intransitive) To move in a particular direction with the liquid in which one is floating

(intransitive) To drift or wander aimlessly.

(intransitive) To drift gently through the air.

(intransitive) To move in a fluid manner.

(intransitive, figurative) To circulate.

(intransitive, colloquial) (of an idea or scheme) To be viable.

(transitive) To propose (an idea) for consideration.

(intransitive) To automatically adjust a parameter as related parameters change.

(intransitive, finance) (of currencies) To have an exchange value determined by the markets as opposed to by rule.

(transitive, finance) To allow (the exchange value of a currency) to be determined by the markets.

(transitive, colloquial) To extend a short-term loan to.

(transitive, finance) To issue or sell shares in a company (or units in a trust) to members of the public, followed by listing on a stock exchange.

(transitive) To spread plaster over (a surface), using the tool called a float.

(transitive) To use a float (rasp-like tool) upon.

(transitive) To transport by float (vehicular trailer).

(poker) To perform a float.

(computing, transitive) To cause (an element within a document) to float above or beside others.

Noun

float (plural floats)

A buoyant device used to support something in water or another liquid.

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

A float board.

A tool similar to a rasp, used in various trades.

A sort of trowel used for finishing concrete surfaces or smoothing plaster.

An elaborately decorated trailer or vehicle, intended for display in a parade or pageant.

(British) A small vehicle used for local deliveries, especially in the term milk float.

(finance) Funds committed to be paid but not yet paid.

(finance, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries?) An offering of shares in a company (or units in a trust) to members of the public, normally followed by a listing on a stock exchange.

(banking) The total amount of checks/cheques or other drafts written against a bank account but not yet cleared and charged against the account.

(insurance) Premiums taken in but not yet paid out.

(programming) A floating-point number, especially one that has lower precision than a double.

A soft beverage with a scoop of ice-cream floating in it.

A small sum of money put in a cashier's till at the start of business to enable change to be made.

(poker) A maneuver where a player calls on the flop or turn with a weak hand, with the intention of bluffing after a subsequent community card.

(knitting) One of the loose ends of yarn on an unfinished work.

(automotive) a car carrier or car transporter truck or truck-and-trailer combination

(transport) a lowboy trailer

(tempering) A device sending a copious stream of water to the heated surface of a bulky object, such as an anvil or die.

(obsolete) The act of flowing; flux; flow.

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

A polishing block used in marble working; a runner.

(UK, dated) A coal cart.

A breakdancing move in which the body is held parallel to the floor while balancing on one or both hands.

(computing) A visual style on a web page that causes the styled elements to float above or beside others.

Synonyms

• (Shares offered to the public:): initial public offering

Anagrams

• aloft, flota

Source: Wiktionary


Float, n.Etym: [OE. flote ship, boat, fleet, AS. flota ship, fr. fleĂłtan to float; akin to D. vloot fleet, G. floss raft, Icel. floti float, raft, fleet, Sw. flotta. sq. root 84. See Fleet, v. i., and cf. Flotilla, Flotsam, Plover.]

1. 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. Specifically: (a) A mass of timber or boards fastened together, and conveyed down a stream by the current; a raft. (b) The hollow, metallic ball of a self-acting faucet, which floats upon the water in a cistern or boiler. (c) The cork or quill used in angling, to support the bait line, and indicate the bite of a fish. (d) Anything used to buoy up whatever is liable to sink; an inflated bag or pillow used by persons learning to swim; a life preserver. This reform bill . . . had been used as a float by the conservative ministry. J. P. Peters.

2. A float board. See Float board (below).

3. (Tempering)

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

4. The act of flowing; flux; flow. [Obs.] Bacon.

5. A quantity of earth, eighteen feet square and one foot deep. [Obs.] Mortimer.

6. (Plastering)

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

7. A polishing block used in marble working; a runner. Knight.

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

9. A coal cart. [Eng.] Simmonds.

10. The sea; a wave. See Flote, n. Float board, one of the boards fixed radially to the rim of an undershot water wheel or of a steamer's paddle wheel; -- a vane.

– Float case (Naut.), a caisson used for lifting a ship.

– Float copper or gold (Mining), fine particles of metallic copper or of gold suspended in water, and thus liable to be lost.

– Float ore, water-worn particles of ore; fragments of vein material found on the surface, away from the vein outcrop. Raymond.

– Float stone (Arch.), a siliceous stone used to rub stonework or brickwork to a smooth surface.

– Float valve, a valve or cock acted upon by a float. See Float, 1 (b).

Float, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Floated; p. pr. & vb. n. Floating.] Etym: [OE. flotien, flotten, AS. flotian to float, swim, fr. fleĂłtan. See Float, n.]

1. To rest on the surface of any fluid; to swim; to be buoyed up. The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground. Milton. Three blustering nights, borne by the southern blast, I floated. Dryden.

2. 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. They stretch their broad plumes and float upon the wind. Pope. There seems a floating whisper on the hills. Byron.

Float, v. t.

1. 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. Had floated that bell on the Inchcape rock. Southey.

2. To flood; to overflow; to cover with water. Proud Pactolus floats the fruitful lands. Dryden.

3. (Plastering)

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

4. To support and sustain the credit of, as a commercial scheme or a joint-stock company, so as to enable

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

23 November 2024

THEORETICAL

(adjective) concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; “theoretical science”


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