Etymology: Middle English flote boat, float, from Old English flota ship; akin to Old High German flōz raft, stream, Old English flēotan to float — more at fleet
Date: before 12th century
1: an act or instance of floating 2: something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid: as a: a device (as a cork) buoying up the baited end of a fishing line b: a floating platform anchored near a shoreline for use by swimmers or boats c: a hollow ball that floats at the end of a lever in a cistern, tank, or boiler and regulates the liquid level d: a sac containing air or gas and buoying up the body of a plant or animal e: a watertight structure giving an airplane buoyancy on water 3: a tool or apparatus for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete) 4: a government grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey out of a larger specific tract 5: a vehicle with a platform used to carry an exhibit in a parade; also: the vehicle and exhibit together 6 a: an amount of money represented by checks outstanding and in process of collection b: the time between a transaction (as the writing of a check or a purchase on credit) and the actual withdrawal of funds to cover it c: the volume of a company's shares available for active trading in the auction market 7: a soft drink with ice cream floating in it
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