float
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float
(flōt)v. float·ed, float·ing, floats
v.intr.
1.
a. To remain suspended within or on the surface of a fluid without sinking.
b. To be suspended in or move through space as if supported by a liquid.
2. To move from place to place, especially at random.
3. To move easily or lightly: "Miss Golightly ... floated round in their arms light as a scarf" (Truman Capote).
4. Economics To rise or fall freely in response to the market: allowed the dollar to float; a loan whose interest rate floats with the prime rate.
v.tr.
1. To cause to remain suspended without sinking or falling.
2.
a. To put into the water; launch: float a ship; float a navy.
b. To start or establish (a business enterprise, for example).
3. To flood (land), as for irrigation.
4. Economics To allow (the exchange value of a currency, for example) to rise or fall freely in response to the market: Inflation forced the government to float the currency.
5. To offer for consideration; suggest: floated my idea to the committee.
6. To release (a security) for sale.
7. To arrange for (a loan).
8. To make the surface of (plaster, for example) level or smooth.
9. Computers To convert (data) from fixed-point notation to floating-point notation.
n.
1. Something that floats, as:
a. A raft.
b. A buoy.
c. A life preserver.
d. A buoyant object, such as a piece of cork or a plastic ball, used to hold a net or part of a fishing line afloat.
e. A landing platform attached to a wharf and floating on the water.
f. A floating ball attached to a lever to regulate the water level in a tank.
2. Biology An air-filled sac or structure that aids in the flotation of an aquatic organism. Also called air bladder, air vesicle.
3. A decorated exhibit or scene mounted on a mobile platform and pulled or driven in a parade.
4. The number of shares of a security that are publicly owned and traded.
5.
a. A sum of money representing checks that are outstanding.
b. The time between the issuing or depositing of a check and the debiting of the issuer's account.
c. The time during which a credit card purchase can be repaid without interest.
6.
a. A tool for smoothing the surface of wet plaster or concrete.
b. A file with sharp ridges used for cutting or smoothing wood.
7. A soft drink with ice cream floating in it.
8. Excess time allowed for a task in a project schedule.
float′a·ble adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
float
(fləʊt)vb
1. (General Physics) to rest or cause to rest on the surface of a fluid or in a fluid or space without sinking; be buoyant or cause to exhibit buoyancy: oil floats on water; to float a ship.
2. to move or cause to move buoyantly, lightly, or freely across a surface or through air, water, etc; drift: fog floated across the road.
3. to move about aimlessly, esp in the mind: thoughts floated before him.
4. to suspend or be suspended without falling; hang: lights floated above them.
5. (Commerce) (tr)
a. to launch or establish (a commercial enterprise, etc)
b. to offer for sale (stock or bond issues, etc) on the stock market
6. (Banking & Finance) (tr) finance to allow (a currency) to fluctuate against other currencies in accordance with market forces
7. (Physical Geography) (tr) to flood, inundate, or irrigate (land), either artificially or naturally
8. (Building) (tr) to spread, smooth, or level (a surface of plaster, rendering, etc)
n
9. something that floats
10. (Angling) angling an indicator attached to a baited line that sits on the water and moves when a fish bites
11. (Building) a small hand tool with a rectangular blade used for floating plaster, etc
12. (Nautical Terms) chiefly US any buoyant object, such as a platform or inflated tube, used offshore by swimmers or, when moored alongside a pier, as a dock by vessels
13. (Nautical Terms) Also called: paddle a blade of a paddle wheel
14. (Swimming, Water Sports & Surfing) Brit a buoyant garment or device to aid a person in staying afloat
15. (Aeronautics) a hollow watertight structure fitted to the underside of an aircraft to allow it to land on water
16. (Botany) another name for air bladder2
17. (Zoology) another name for air bladder2
18. an exhibit carried in a parade, esp a religious parade
19. (Automotive Engineering) a motor vehicle used to carry a tableau or exhibit in a parade, esp a civic parade
20. (Automotive Engineering) a small delivery vehicle, esp one powered by batteries: a milk float.
21. (Automotive Engineering) Austral and NZ a vehicle for transporting horses
22. (Banking & Finance) banking chiefly US the total value of uncollected cheques and other commercial papers
23. (Accounting & Book-keeping) chiefly US and Canadian a sum to be applied to minor expenses; petty cash
24. (Commerce) a sum of money used by shopkeepers to provide change at the start of the day's business, this sum being subtracted from the total at the end of the day when calculating the day's takings
25. (Building) the hollow floating ball of a ballcock
26. (General Engineering) engineering a hollow cylindrical structure in a carburettor that actuates the fuel valve
27. (Cookery) chiefly US and Canadian a carbonated soft drink with a scoop of ice cream in it
28. (Textiles) (in textiles) a single thread brought to or above the surface of a woven fabric, esp to form a pattern
29. (Forestry) forestry a measure of timber equal to eighteen loads
[Old English flotian; related to Old Norse flota , Old Saxon flotōn; see fleet2]
ˈfloatable adj
ˌfloataˈbility n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
float
(floʊt)v.i.
1. to rest or remain on the surface of a liquid; be buoyant.
2. to move gently on the surface of a liquid; drift along: The canoe floated downstream.
3. to rest or move in a liquid, the air, etc.: a balloon floating on high.
4. to move lightly and gracefully: She floated down the stairs.
5. to move or hover before the eyes or in the mind.
6. to pass from one person to another.
7. to be free from attachment or involvement.
8. to move or drift about, esp. freely or aimlessly.
9. (of a currency) to be allowed to fluctuate freely in the foreign-exchange market instead of being exchanged at a fixed rate.
v.t. 10. to cause to float.
11. to cover with water or other liquid; flood; irrigate.
12. to launch (a company, scheme, etc.); set going.
13. to issue (stocks, bonds, etc.) on the stock market in order to raise money.
14. to let (a currency) fluctuate in the foreign-exchange market.
15. to present for consideration, as an idea.
16. to make smooth with a float, as the surface of plaster.
n. 17. something that floats, as a raft.
18. something for buoying up.
19. an inflated bag to sustain a person in water; life preserver.
20. (in a tank, cistern, etc.) a device, as a hollow ball, that through its buoyancy automatically regulates the level, supply, or outlet of a liquid.
21. a floating platform attached to a wharf, bank, etc., and used as a landing.
22. a hollow, boatlike structure under the wing or fuselage of a seaplane or flying boat that keeps it afloat in water.
23. a piece of cork or other material supporting a baited fishing line in the water.
24. an inflated organ that supports an animal in the water.
25. a vehicle bearing a display, usu. an elaborate tableau, in a parade or procession.
26. a drink with ice cream floating in it.
27. uncollected checks and commercial paper in process of transfer from bank to bank.
28. a sum of money added to a salary, pension, etc., as to cover expenses.
29. an act or instance of floating.
30. a flat tool for spreading and smoothing plaster or stucco.
[before 1000; Middle English floten, Old English flotian; c. Old Norse flota; akin to Old English flēotan to fleet2]
float′a•ble, adj.
float`a•bil′i•ty, n.
float′y, adj. float•i•er, float•i•est.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
float
(flōt)Verb
To remain suspended within or on the surface of a fluid without sinking.
Noun
An air-filled sac in certain aquatic organisms, such as kelp, that helps maintain buoyancy. Also called air bladder, air vesicle.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
float
- The boards and paddle of a waterwheel or paddlewheel are the floats.See also related terms for paddle.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
Float
of dancers: a company of female dancers—Lipton, 1970.Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
float
Past participle: floated
Gerund: floating
| Imperative |
|---|
| float |
| float |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. | float - the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment interval, time interval - a definite length of time marked off by two instants |
| 2. | float - the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public stock - the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest (equity); "he owns a controlling share of the company's stock" | |
| 3. |  float - a drink with ice cream floating in itdrink - a single serving of a beverage; "I asked for a hot drink"; "likes a drink before dinner" root beer float - an ice-cream soda made with ice cream floating in root beer | |
| 4. | float - an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade display, presentation - a visual representation of something | |
| 5. | float - a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco hand tool - a tool used with workers' hands | |
| 6. | float - something that floats on the surface of water chip - a triangular wooden float attached to the end of a log line flotation device, life preserver, preserver - rescue equipment consisting of a buoyant belt or jacket to keep a person from drowning pontoon - a float supporting a seaplane raft - a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers | |
| 7. |  float - an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancysac - a structure resembling a bag in an animal | |
| Verb | 1. |  float - 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"go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" float - move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage" waft - be driven or carried along, as by the air; "Sounds wafted into the room" tide - be carried with the tide drift - cause to be carried by a current; "drift the boats downstream" stream - to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind; "their manes streamed like stiff black pennants in the wind" |
| 2. | float - be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" float - move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage" float - set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond" buoy - float on the surface of water | |
| 3. | float - set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond" float - put into the water; "float a ship" tide - cause to float with the tide drift - cause to be carried by a current; "drift the boats downstream" refloat - set afloat again; "refloat a grounded boat" transport - move something or somebody around; usually over long distances | |
| 4. | float - circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with; "The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform" | |
| 5. | float - move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage" go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" be adrift, drift, float, blow - 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" ride - be sustained or supported or borne; "His glasses rode high on his nose"; "The child rode on his mother's hips"; "She rode a wave of popularity"; "The brothers rode to an easy victory on their father's political name" | |
| 6. | float - put into the water; "float a ship" launch - propel with force; "launch the space shuttle"; "Launch a ship" float - set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond" | |
| 7. | float - make the surface of level or smooth; "float the plaster" masonry - the craft of a mason | |
| 8. | float - allow (currencies) to fluctuate; "The government floated the ruble for a few months" value - fix or determine the value of; assign a value to; "value the jewelry and art work in the estate" | |
| 9. | float - convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation; "float data" convert, change over - change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy; "We converted from 220 to 110 Volt" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
float
verb
1. glide, sail, drift, move gently, bob, coast, slide, be carried, slip along barges floating quietly by the grassy river banks
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
float
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
ploutplovací vestasplávekvalníkvznášet se
flydesvævesvømmebæltevogndrive
lipuakelluakellukekoholeijua
lebdjetiplovakplutati
fljótaflotholtvagn
浮かぶ浮き浮く
떠가다뜨다부낭
laivas restoranasnepastovūs gyventojaiplatformaplūduriuotiplukdyti
elektrokārspeldētpludinātpludiņšslīdēt
plavákvalník
lebdetiplavati
flytasimdynasväva
ลอยลอยบนผิวน้ำหรือในอากาศสิ่งที่ลอยได้เช่นแพ
nổiphaotrôi lềnh bềnh
float
[fləʊt]A. N [of raft, seaplane] → flotador m; (for fishing line) → corcho m; (= swimming aid) → flotador m; (in procession) → carroza f; (= sum of money) → reserva f; (in shop) → fondo m de caja dinero en caja antes de empezar las ventas del día (para cambios )
B. VT
1. [+ boat, logs] → hacer flotar
it doesn't float my boat → no me da ni frío ni calor, no me llama la atención
it doesn't float my boat → no me da ni frío ni calor, no me llama la atención
2. (= render seaworthy) → poner a flote
3. (= launch) [+ company] → fundar, constituir
C. VI (gen) → flotar; [bather] → hacer la plancha; (= move in wind) → flotar, ondear
it floated to the surface → salió a la superficie
to float downriver → ir río abajo
we shall let the pound float → dejaremos que la libra esterlina flote or fluctúe
it floated to the surface → salió a la superficie
to float downriver → ir río abajo
we shall let the pound float → dejaremos que la libra esterlina flote or fluctúe
float away float off VI + ADV (in water) → ir a la deriva; (in air) → irse volando
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
float
[ˈfləʊt] vt
(FINANCE) to float a company on the stock market → lancer une entreprise en Bourse
[+ idea] → lancer
float around
vi [idea] → circulerfloat away
vi (on the breeze) → partir à la dérivefloat down
vt fus [+ river, stream] → descendreCollins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
float
n
(on fishing line, in cistern, carburettor, on aeroplane) → Schwimmer m; (= anchored raft) → (verankertes) Floß, Schwimmplattform f; (as swimming aid) → Schwimmkork m; (of fish) → Schwimmblase f; (on trawl net) → Korken m
(= ready cash: in till) → Wechselgeld nt no indef art (zu Geschäftsbeginn); (= loan to start business) → Startkapital nt; (= advance on expenses) → Vorschuss m
vi
(on water) → schwimmen; (= move gently) → treiben; (in air) → schweben; the body floated (up) to the surface → die Leiche kam an die Wasseroberfläche; it floated downriver → es trieb flussabwärts; she floated down the aisle in a dream → sie schwebte wie im Traum zum Traualtar
(Comm, currency) → floaten
vt
boat → zu Wasser bringen; they floated the logs downstream → sie flößten die Baumstämme flussabwärts
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
float
[fləʊt]1. n → galleggiante m; (cork) → sughero; (vehicle in parade) → carro; (cash) → soldi mpl in cassa (per dare il resto)
2. vt (boat, logs) → far galleggiare; (refloat) → riportare a galla; (launch, project, plan) → lanciare (Fin) (company) → lanciare (emettendo azioni); (currency) → far fluttuare
to float an idea → ventilare un'idea
to float an idea → ventilare un'idea
3. vi (gen) → galleggiare; (ship) → stare a galla; (bather) → fare il morto (Fin) (currency) → fluttuare
to float downstream → essere trascinato/a dalla corrente
to float downstream → essere trascinato/a dalla corrente
float away float off vi + adv (in water) → andare alla deriva; (in air) → volare via
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
float
(fləut) verb to (make something) stay on the surface of a liquid. A piece of wood was floating in the stream.
noun1. something that floats on a fishing-line. If the float moves, there is probably a fish on the hook.
2. a vehicle for transporting certain things. a milk-float; a cattle-float.
floating population a section of the population not permanently resident in a place.
floating restaurant a restaurant on a boat or other floating structure.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
float
→ عَوَّامَة, يَسْبَحُ في الهَوَاء, يَطْفُو plout, plovací vesta, vznášet se flyde, svæve, svømmebælte schweben, Schwimmkissen, treiben επιπλέω, πλέω, πλωτήρας flotador, flotar kellua, kelluke, lipua flotter, flotteur lebdjeti, plovak, plutati fluttuare, galleggiante, galleggiare 浮かぶ, 浮き, 浮く 떠가다, 뜨다, 부낭 drijven, drijvend voorwerp flottør, flyte, sveve pływak, popłynąć, wznosić się bóia, flutuar держаться на поверхности, плавучая масса, подниматься flyta, simdyna, sväva ลอย, ลอยบนผิวน้ำหรือในอากาศ, สิ่งที่ลอยได้เช่นแพ sal, süzülmek, yüzdürmek nổi, phao, trôi lềnh bềnh 漂流物, 飘浮Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
float
n. flotador;
v. flotar.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012