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.] [OE.
flotien, flotten, AS. flotian to float, swim, fr. fleÛtan. 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.