float

Meanings

• the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
• the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public
• a drink with ice cream floating in it
• an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
• a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco
• something that floats on the surface of water
• an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy
• be in motion due to some air or water current
• be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom
• set afloat
  • "He floated the logs down the river"
  • "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond"
• circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with
  • "The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"
• move lightly, as if suspended
  • "The dancer floated across the stage"
• put into the water
  • "float a ship"
• make the surface of level or smooth
  • "float the plaster"
• allow (currencies) to fluctuate
  • "The government floated the ruble for a few months"
• convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation
  • "float data"

Synonyms

air bladder, be adrift, blow, drift, ice-cream float, ice-cream soda, plasterer's float, swim, swim bladder