float
• verb 1 rest on the surface of a liquid without sinking. 2 move slowly, hover, or be suspended in a liquid or the air. 3 put forward (an idea) as a suggestion or test of reactions. 4 usu. as adj. floating remain unsettled in one’s opinions, where one lives, etc. 5 offer the shares of (a company) for sale on the stock market for the first time. 6 (with reference to a currency) fluctuate or allow to fluctuate freely in value. • noun 1 a hollow or lightweight object or device designed to float on water, for example one attached to a fishing line signalling the bite of a fish. 2 a floating device which forms part of a valve apparatus controlling a flow of water. 3 Brit. a small vehicle powered by electricity: a milk float. 4 a platform mounted on a truck and carrying a display in a procession. 5 Brit. a sum of money available for minor expenses or to provide change. 6 a hand tool with a rectangular blade used for smoothing plaster. — PHRASES float someone’s boat informal appeal to or excite someone. — DERIVATIVES floater noun. — ORIGIN Old English, related to FLEET3.
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