plaster

WORDNET DICTIONARY

Noun plaster has 5 senses

plaster(n = noun.substance) - a mixture of lime or gypsum with sand and water; hardens into a smooth solid; used to cover walls and ceilings;

is a kind of mixture, covering material

Derived forms verb plaster₅, verb plaster₄

plaster(n = noun.substance) plaster of paris - any of several gypsum cements; a white powder (a form of calcium sulphate) that forms a paste when mixed with water and hardens into a solid; used in making molds and sculptures and casts for broken limbs;

has particulars: gesso

is a kind of calcium sulfate, calcium sulphate

Derived form verb plaster₄

plaster(n = noun.artifact) cataplasm, poultice - a medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.;

is a kind of dressing, medical dressing

has particulars: mustard plaster, sinapism

Derived form verb plaster₆

plaster(n = noun.artifact) plasterwork - a surface of hardened plaster (as on a wall or ceiling); "there were cracks in the plaster"

has particulars: pargeting, pargetry, pargetting

is a kind of surface

Derived form verb plaster₅

plaster(n = noun.artifact) adhesive plaster, sticking plaster - adhesive tape used in dressing wounds;

is a kind of adhesive tape

has particulars: court plaster

Verb plaster has 6 senses

plaster(v = verb.contact) plaster over, stick on - apply a heavy coat to;

is one way to cover

Derived form noun plastering₁

Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

plaster(v = verb.contact) beplaster - cover conspicuously or thickly, as by pasting something on; "The demonstrators plastered the hallways with posters"; "She let the walls of the apartment be beplastered with stucco"

is one way to cover

Sample sentence:
They plaster the doors with notices

plaster(v = verb.contact) - affix conspicuously; "She plastered warnings all over the wall"

affix

stick on

Sample sentence:
They plaster notices on the doors

plaster(v = verb.contact) - apply a plaster cast to; "plaster the broken arm"

cover

Derived forms noun plaster₁, noun plaster₂, noun plastering₁

Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something

plaster(v = verb.contact) daub - coat with plaster; "daub the wall"

is one way to coat, surface

Derived forms noun plaster₄, noun plaster₁, noun plasterer₁, noun plastering₁

Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something

plaster(v = verb.body) poultice - dress by covering with a therapeutic substance;

is one way to dress

Derived forms noun plaster₃, noun plastering₁

Sample sentence:
Did he plaster his foot?

CIDE DICTIONARY

plaster, n. [AS., a plaster (in sense 1), fr. L. emplastrum, Gr. , , fr. to daub on, stuff in; in + to mold: cf. OF. plastre a plaster (in sense 2), F. plâtre. Cf. Plastic, Emplaster, Piaster.].

An external application of a consistency harder than ointment, prepared for use by spreading it on linen, leather, silk, or other material. It is adhesive at the ordinary temperature of the body, and is used, according to its composition, to produce a medicinal effect, to bind parts together, etc.; as, a porous plaster; sticking plaster. [1913 Webster]
A composition of lime, water, and sand, with or without hair as a bond, for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions of houses. See Mortar. [1913 Webster]
Calcined gypsum, or plaster of Paris, especially when ground, as used for making ornaments, figures, moldings, etc.; or calcined gypsum used as a fertilizer. [1913 Webster]

Plaster cast, a copy of an object obtained by pouring plaster of Paris mixed with water into a mold. -- Plaster of Paris. [So called because originally brought from a suburb of Paris.] (Chem.) Anhydrous calcium sulphate, or calcined gypsum, which forms with water a paste which soon sets or hardens, and is used for casts, moldings, etc. The term is loosely applied to any plaster stone or species of gypsum. -- Plaster of Paris bandage (Surg.), a bandage saturated with a paste of plaster of Paris, which on drying forms a perfectly fitting splint.<-- = plaster cast, cast --> -- Plaster stone, any species of gypsum. See Gypsum.

plaster, v. t. [Cf. OF. plastrer to plaster (in sense 2), F. plâtrer.].

To cover with a plaster, as a wound or sore. [1913 Webster]
To overlay or cover with plaster, as the ceilings and walls of a house. [1913 Webster]
Fig.: To smooth over; to cover or conceal the defects of; to hide, as with a covering of plaster. Bale. [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

plaster, n. & v.
--n.
1 a soft pliable mixture esp. of lime putty with sand or Portland cement etc. for spreading on walls, ceilings, etc., to form a smooth hard surface when dried.
2 Brit. = sticking-plaster (see STICK(2)).
3 hist. a curative or protective substance spread on a bandage etc. and applied to the body (mustard plaster).
--v.tr.
1 cover (a wall etc.) with plaster or a similar substance.
2 (often foll. by with) coat thickly or to excess; bedaub (plastered the bread with jam; the wall was plastered with slogans).
3 stick or apply (a thing) thickly like plaster (plastered glue all over it).
4 (often foll. by down) make (esp. hair) smooth with water, cream, etc.; fix flat.
5 (as plastered adj.) sl. drunk.
6 apply a medical plaster or plaster cast to.
7 sl. bomb or shell heavily.

Idiom

plaster cast
1 a bandage stiffened with plaster of Paris and applied to a broken limb etc.
2 a statue or mould made of plaster. plaster of Paris fine white plaster made of gypsum and used for making plaster casts etc. plaster saint iron. a person regarded as being without moral faults or human frailty.

Derivative

plasterer n. plastery adj.

Etymology

ME f. OE & OF plastre or F plastrer f. med.L plastrum f. L emplastrum f. Gk emplastron

THESAURUS

plaster

Ace bandage, Band-Aid, Portland cement, Spackle, adherent, adhesive, adhesive tape, adobe, application, ashlar, band, bandage, bandaging, barnacle, bathe, bedaub, besmear, binder, booze up, boozify, brace, bramble, brick, bricks and mortar, brier, bulldog, burr, butter, care for, cast, cataplasm, cement, chinking, clay, clinker, coat, composition, compress, concrete, cotton, court plaster, cover, covering materials, cravat, crock, crush, cure, dab, daub, decal, decalcomania, dental pulp, diagnose, doctor, drag, dress, dressing, dub, elastic bandage, epithem, equalize, even, ferroconcrete, firebrick, flag, flagstone, flatten, flooring, flux, four-tailed bandage, fuddle, gauze, give care to, glue, grade, grease, grout, gunk, harrow, heal, lath and plaster, lay, leech, level, limpet, lint, lubricate, mash, masonry, massage, mastic, minister to, molasses, mortar, mow, mucilage, mush, nurse, oil, operate on, overlay, overtake, paper pulp, parget, paste, patching plaster, pavement, paving, paving material, physic, pickle, pith, plane, planish, plaster cast, plasters, pledget, pollute, porridge, poultice, prestressed concrete, prickle, pudding, pulp, pulp lead, pulpwood, purge, rag pulp, remedy, remora, roller, roller bandage, roofage, roofing, roughcast, rub, rubber bandage, sauce, shave, siding, size, sling, smarm, smash, smear, smooth, smooth down, smooth out, smudge, souse, spackling compound, splint, sponge, spread, squash, stew, sticker, stone, strap, stucco, stupe, sulfate pulp, sulfite pulp, superimpose, swack, syrup, tampon, tape, tent, thorn, tile, tiling, tipsify, tourniquet, treat, triangular bandage, walling, white lead, wood pulp

ROGET THESAURUS

plaster

Remedy

N remedy, help, cure, redress, medicine, medicament, diagnosis, medical examination, medical treatment, surgery, preventive medicine, clinical thermometer, stethoscope, X-ray machine, anthelmintic, antidote, antifebrile, antipoison, counterpoison, antitoxin, antispasmodic, bracer, faith cure, placebo, helminthagogue, lithagogue, pick-meup, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge, prophylactic, corrective, restorative, sedative, palliative, febrifuge, alterant, alterative, specific, antiseptic, emetic, analgesic, pain-killer, antitussive, antiinflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, carminative, Nepenthe, Mithridate, cure, treatment, regimen, radical cure, perfect cure, certain cure, sovereign remedy, examination, diagnosis, diagnostics, analysis, urinalysis, biopsy, radiology, medicine, physic, Galenicals, simples, drug, pharmaceutical, prescription, potion, draught, dose, pill, bolus, injection, infusion, drip, suppository, electuary, linctus, lincture, medicament, pharmacon, nostrum, receipt, recipe, prescription, catholicon, panacea, elixir, elixir vitae, philosopher's stone, balm, balsam, cordial, theriac, ptisan, agueweed, arnica, benzoin, bitartrate of potash, boneset, calomel, catnip, cinchona, cream of tartar, Epsom salts, feverroot, feverwort, friar's balsam, Indian sage, ipecac, ipecacuanha, jonquil, mercurous chloride, Peruvian bark, quinine, quinquina, sassafras, yarrow, salve, ointment, cerate, oil, lenitive, lotion, cosmetic, plaster, epithem, embrocation, liniment, cataplasm, sinapism, arquebusade, traumatic, vulnerary, pepastic, poultice, collyrium, depilatory, emplastrum, eyewater, vesicant, vesicatory, compress, pledget, bandage, treatment, medical treatment, regimen, dietary, dietetics, vis medicatrix, vis medicatrix naturae, medecine expectante, bloodletting, bleeding, venesection, phlebotomy, cupping, sanguisae, leeches, operation, surgical operation, transfusion, infusion, intravenous infusion, catheter, feeding tube, prevention, preventative medicine, immunization, inoculation, vaccination, vaccine, shot, booster, gamma globulin, pharmacy, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacopoeia, formulary, acology, Materia Medica, therapeutics, posology, homeopathy, allopathy, heteropathy, osteopathy, hydropathy, cold water cure, dietetics, surgery, chirurgery, chirurgy, healing art, leechcraft, orthopedics, orthopedy, orthopraxy, pediatrics, dentistry, midwifery, obstetrics, gynecology, tocology, sarcology, hospital, infirmary, pesthouse, lazarhouse, lazaretto, lock hospital, maison de sante, ambulance, dispensary, dispensatory, drug store, pharmacy, apothecary, druggist, chemist, Hotel des Invalides, sanatorium, spa, pump room, well, hospice, Red Cross, doctor, physician, surgeon, medical practitioner, general practitioner, specialist, medical attendant, apothecary, druggist, leech, osteopath, osteopathist, optometrist, ophthalmologist, internist, oncologist, gastroenterologist, epidemiologist, public health specialist, dermatologist, podiatrist, witch doctor, shaman, faith healer, quack, exorcist, Aesculapius, Hippocrates, Galen, accoucheur, accoucheuse, midwife, oculist, aurist, operator, nurse, registered nurse, practical nurse, monthly nurse, sister, nurse's aide, candystriper, dresser, bonesetter, pharmaceutist, pharmacist, druggist, chemist, pharmacopolist, remedial, restorative, corrective, palliative, healing, sanatory, sanative, prophylactic, preventative, immunizing, salutiferous, medical, medicinal, therapeutic, chirurgical, epulotic, paregoric, tonic, corroborant, analeptic, balsamic, anodyne, hypnotic, neurotic, narcotic, sedative, lenitive, demulcent, emollient, depuratory, detersive, detergent, abstersive, disinfectant, febrifugal, alterative, traumatic, vulnerary, allopathic, heteropathic, homeopathic, hydropathic, anthelmintic, antifebrile, antiluetic, aperient, chalybeate, deobstruent, depurative, laxative, roborant, dietetic, alimentary, nutritious, nutritive, peptic, alexipharmic, alexiteric, remediable, curable, aux grands maux les grands remedes, Dios que da la llaga da la medicina, para todo hay remedio sino para la muerte, temporis ars medicina fere est, the remedy is worse than the disease, throw physic to the dogs, I'll none of it.

VB apply a remedy, doctor, dose, physic, nurse, minister to, attend, dress the wounds, plaster, drain, prevent, relieve, palliate, restore, drench with physic, bleed, cup, let blood, manicure, operate, excise, cut out, incise.

Connection

N connection, vinculum, link, connective, connection, junction, bond of union, copula, hyphen, intermedium, bracket, bridge, stepping-stone, isthmus, bond, tendon, tendril, fiber, cord, cordage, riband, ribbon, rope, guy, cable, line, halser, hawser, painter, moorings, wire, chain, string, fastener, fastening, tie, ligament, ligature, strap, tackle, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, traces, harness, yoke, band ribband, bandage, brace, roller, fillet, inkle, with, withe, withy, thong, braid, girder, tiebeam, girth, girdle, cestus, garter, halter, noose, lasso, surcingle, knot, running knot, cabestro, cinch, lariat, legadero, oxreim, suspenders, pin, corking pin, nail, brad, tack, skewer, staple, corrugated fastener, clamp, U-clamp, C-clamp, cramp, cramp iron, ratchet, detent, larigo, pawl, terret, treenail, screw, button, buckle, clasp, hasp, hinge, hank, catch, latch, bolt, latchet, tag, tooth, hook, hook and eye, lock, holdfast, padlock, rivet, anchor, grappling iron, trennel, stake, post, cement, glue, gum, paste, size, wafer, solder, lute, putty, birdlime, mortar, stucco, plaster, grout, viscum, shackle, rein, prop.

Covering

N covering, cover, baldachin, baldachino, baldaquin, canopy, tilt, awning, tent, marquee, tente d'abri, umbrella, parasol, sunshade, veil (shade), shield, roof, ceiling, thatch, tile, pantile, pentile, tiling, slates, slating, leads, barrack, plafond, planchment, tiling, shed, top, lid, covercle, door, operculum, bulkhead, bandage, plaster, lint, wrapping, dossil, finger stall, coverlet, counterpane, sheet, quilt, tarpaulin, blanket, rug, drugget, housing, antimacassar, eiderdown, numdah, pillowcase, pillowslip, linoleum, saddle cloth, blanket cloth, tidy, tilpah, apishamore, integument, tegument, skin, pellicle, fleece, fell, fur, leather, shagreen, hide, pelt, peltry, cordwain, derm, robe, buffalo robe, cuticle, scarfskin, epidermis, clothing, mask, peel, crust, bark, rind, cortex, husk, shell, coat, eggshell, glume, capsule, sheath, sheathing, pod, cod, casing, case, theca, elytron, elytrum, involucrum, wrapping, wrapper, envelope, vesicle, corn husk, corn shuck, dermatology, conchology, testaceology, inunction, incrustation, superimposition, superposition, obduction, scale, veneer, facing, overlay, plate, silver plate, gold plate, copper plate, engobe, ormolu, Sheffield plate, pavement, coating, paint, varnish, plating, barrel plating, anointing, enamel, epitaxial deposition, vapor deposition, ground, whitewash, plaster, spackel, stucco, compo, cerement, ointment, covering, superimposed, overlaid, plated, cutaneous, dermal, cortical, cuticular, tegumentary, skinny, scaly, squamous, covered, imbricated, loricated, armor plated, ironclad, under cover, cowled, cucullate, dermatoid, encuirassed, hooded, squamiferous, tectiform, vaginate, covering, cover, baldachin, baldachino, baldaquin, canopy, tilt, awning, tent, marquee, tente d'abri, umbrella, parasol, sunshade, veil (shade), shield, roof, ceiling, thatch, tile, pantile, pentile, tiling, slates, slating, leads, barrack, plafond, planchment, tiling, shed, top, lid, covercle, door, operculum, bulkhead, bandage, plaster, lint, wrapping, dossil, finger stall, coverlet, counterpane, sheet, quilt, tarpaulin, blanket, rug, drugget, housing, antimacassar, eiderdown, numdah, pillowcase, pillowslip, linoleum, saddle cloth, blanket cloth, tidy, tilpah, apishamore, integument, tegument, skin, pellicle, fleece, fell, fur, leather, shagreen, hide, pelt, peltry, cordwain, derm, robe, buffalo robe, cuticle, scarfskin, epidermis, clothing, mask, peel, crust, bark, rind, cortex, husk, shell, coat, eggshell, glume, capsule, sheath, sheathing, pod, cod, casing, case, theca, elytron, elytrum, involucrum, wrapping, wrapper, envelope, vesicle, corn husk, corn shuck, dermatology, conchology, testaceology, inunction, incrustation, superimposition, superposition, obduction, scale, veneer, facing, overlay, plate, silver plate, gold plate, copper plate, engobe, ormolu, Sheffield plate, pavement, coating, paint, varnish, plating, barrel plating, anointing, enamel, epitaxial deposition, vapor deposition, ground, whitewash, plaster, spackel, stucco, compo, cerement, ointment, covering, superimposed, overlaid, plated, cutaneous, dermal, cortical, cuticular, tegumentary, skinny, scaly, squamous, covered, imbricated, loricated, armor plated, ironclad, under cover, cowled, cucullate, dermatoid, encuirassed, hooded, squamiferous, tectiform, vaginate.

VB cover, superpose, superimpose, overlay, overspread, wrap, encase, incase, face, case, veneer, pave, paper, tip, cap, bind, bulkhead, bulkhead in, clapboard, coat, paint, varnish, pay, incrust, stucco, dab, plaster, tar, wash, besmear, bedaub, anoint, do over, gild, plate, japan, lacquer, lacker, enamel, whitewash, parget, lay it on thick, overlie, overarch, endome, conceal, anodize, galvanize.

See related words and definitions of word "plaster" in Indonesian

Also see definition of "plaster" in Bible Study Dictionaries

Table of Contents -- float POS
WORDNET DICTIONARY
CIDE DICTIONARY
OXFORD DICTIONARY
THESAURUS
ROGET THESAURUS

float

POS

Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)

WORDNET DICTIONARY

Noun float has 7 senses

float(n = noun.time) - the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment;

interval

time interval

float(n = noun.possession) - the number of shares outstanding and available for trading by the public;

stock

float(n = noun.food) ice-cream float, ice-cream soda - a drink with ice cream floating in it;

is a kind of drink

has particulars: root beer float

float(n = noun.artifact) - an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade;

display

presentation

float(n = noun.artifact) plasterer's float - a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco;

is a kind of hand tool

float(n = noun.artifact) - something that floats on the surface of water;

artefact

artifact

has particulars: bob, bobber, bobfloat, cork, chip, flotation device, life preserver, preserver, pontoon, raft

Derived forms verb float₆, verb float₃, verb float₂, adjective floaty₁

float(n = noun.animal) air bladder, swim bladder - an air-filled sac near the spinal column in many fishes that helps maintain buoyancy;

is a kind of sac

Verb float has 9 senses

float(v = verb.motion) be adrift, blow, drift - 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"

is one way to go, locomote, move, travel

Sample sentences:
Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

float(v = verb.motion) swim - be afloat either on or below a liquid surface and not sink to the bottom;

is one way to go, locomote, move, travel

Derived forms noun float₆, noun floatation₁, noun floater₇, noun floater₆, noun floating₁, noun flotation₁

Antonym: sink

Sample sentence:
These cars won't float

float(v = verb.motion) - set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy floated his toy boat on the pond"

transport

Derived forms noun float₆, noun floatation₁, noun flotation₁

Sample sentence:
The girls float the wooden sticks

float(v = verb.social) - circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with; "The Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"

Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

float(v = verb.motion) - move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across the stage"

Sample sentences:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

float(v = verb.contact) - put into the water; "float a ship"

launch

Derived forms noun float₆, noun floatation₁, noun flotation₁

Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something

float(v = verb.contact) - make the surface of level or smooth; "float the plaster"

smooth

smoothen

Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something

float(v = verb.cognition) - allow (currencies) to fluctuate; "The government floated the ruble for a few months"

value

Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something

float(v = verb.change) - convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation; "float data"

change over

convert

Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something

CIDE DICTIONARY

float, n. [OE. flote ship, boat, fleet, AS. flota ship, fr. fleótan to float; akin to D. vloot fleet, G. floss raft, Icel. floti float, raft, fleet, Sw. flotta. Fleet, v. i., and cf. Flotilla, Flotsam, Plover.].

Anything which floats or rests on the surface of a fluid, as to sustain weight, or to indicate the height of the liquid surface, or mark the place of, something. [1913 Webster]
"This reform bill . . . had been used as a float by the conservative ministry." [1913 Webster]
A float board. See Float board (below). [1913 Webster]
A contrivance for affording a copious stream of water to the heated surface of an object of large bulk, as an anvil or die. Knight. [1913 Webster]
The act of flowing; flux; flow. Bacon. [1913 Webster]
A quantity of earth, eighteen feet square and one foot deep. Mortimer. [1913 Webster]
The trowel or tool with which the floated coat of plastering is leveled and smoothed. [1913 Webster]
A polishing block used in marble working; a runner. Knight. [1913 Webster]
A single-cut file for smoothing; a tool used by shoemakers for rasping off pegs inside a shoe. [1913 Webster]
A coal cart. Simmonds. [1913 Webster]
The sea; a wave. See Flote, n. [1913 Webster]
The free use of money for a time between occurrence of a transaction (such as depositing a check or a purchase made using a credit card), and the time when funds are withdrawn to cover the transaction; also, the money made available between transactions in that manner. [PJC]
a vehicle on which an exhibit or display is mounted, driven or pulled as part of a parade. The float often is based on a large flat platform, and may contain a very elaborate structure with a tableau or people. [PJC]

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 Float 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. [OE. flotien, flotten, AS. flotian to float, swim, fr. fleótan. See Float, n.].

To rest on the surface of any fluid; to swim; to be buoyed up. [1913 Webster]
"The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground." [1913 Webster]

"Three blustering nights, borne by the southern blast,
I floated." [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
"They stretch their broad plumes and float upon the wind." [1913 Webster]

"There seems a floating whisper on the hills." [1913 Webster]

float, v. t.

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. [1913 Webster]
"Had floated that bell on the Inchcape rock." [1913 Webster]
To flood; to overflow; to cover with water. [1913 Webster]
"Proud Pactolus floats the fruitful lands." [1913 Webster]
To pass over and level the surface of with a float while the plastering is kept wet. [1913 Webster]
To support and sustain the credit of, as a commercial scheme or a joint-stock company, so as to enable it to go into, or continue in, operation. [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

float, v. & n.
--v.
1 intr. & tr. a rest or move or cause (a buoyant object) to rest or move on the surface of a liquid without sinking. b get afloat or set (a stranded ship) afloat.
2 intr. move with a liquid or current of air; drift (the clouds floated high up).
3 intr. colloq. a move in a leisurely or casual way (floated about humming quietly). b (often foll. by before) hover before the eye or mind (the prospect of lunch floated before them).
4 intr. (often foll. by in) move or be suspended freely in a liquid or a gas.
5 tr. a bring (a company, scheme, etc.) into being; launch. b offer (stock, shares, etc.) on the stock market.
6 Commerce a intr. (of currency) be allowed to have a fluctuating exchange rate. b tr. cause (currency) to float. c intr. (of an acceptance) be in circulation.
7 tr. (of water etc.) support; bear along (a buoyant object).
8 intr. & tr. circulate or cause (a rumour or idea) to circulate.
9 tr. waft (a buoyant object) through the air.
10 tr. archaic cover with liquid; inundate.
--n.
1 a thing that floats, esp.: a a raft. b a cork or quill on a fishing-line as an indicator of a fish biting. c a cork supporting the edge of a fishing-net. d the hollow or inflated part or organ supporting a fish etc. in the water; an air bladder. e a hollow structure fixed underneath an aircraft enabling it to float on water. f a floating device on the surface of water, petrol, etc., controlling the flow.
2 a small vehicle or cart, esp. one powered by electricity (milk float).
3 a platform mounted on a lorry and carrying a display in a procession etc.
4 a a sum of money used at the beginning of a period of selling in a shop, a f{ecirc}te, etc. to provide change. b a small sum of money for minor expenditure; petty cash.
5 Theatr. (in sing. or pl.) footlights.
6 a tool used for smoothing plaster.

Idiom

float-board one of the boards of a water-wheel or paddle-wheel. float glass a kind of glass made by drawing the molten glass continuously on to a surface of molten metal for hardening. float process the process used to make float glass. float-stone a light, porous stone that floats.

Derivative

floatable adj. floatability n.

Etymology

OE flot, flotian float, OE flota ship, ON flota, floti rel. to FLEET(5): in ME infl. by OF floter

THESAURUS

float

Carling float, arrange, ascend, aspire, balsa, balsa raft, barge, bathe, bear up, become airborne, boat, bob, boom, brandish, bring off, bring up, broach, bundle, bundle off, buoy, buoy up, bus, carry off, cart, christen, claw skyward, coach, consummate, cork, dart, deluge, dip, dive, dray, drift, drown, duck, dunk, effect, establish, ferry, flap, flaunt, float high, flood, flourish, flow on, flutter, fly, fly aloft, foot, found, gain altitude, get, get going, get moving, ghost, give a start, glide, go in swimming, go in wading, go public, hang, haul, hold up, hover, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, institute, introduce, inundate, issue, issue stock, kick off, kite, launch, leave the ground, levitate, life buoy, life preserver, life raft, lift up, lighter, negotiate, organize, plane, platform, plow the deep, poise, pontoon, pour on, pull off, put in motion, raft, rain, raise, ride, ride high, ride the sea, ring in, rise, run, sail, scud, send, send forth, send off, set afloat, set agoing, set going, set in motion, set on foot, set up, shake, ship, shoot, skim, skinny-dip, sled, sledge, slip, sluice, soar, spire, start, start going, start off, start up, submerge, surfboard, sustain, swamp, swim, swing, take off, transact, tread water, truck, turn on, undulate, upbear, uphold, uplift, upraise, usher in, van, wade, waft, wag, wagon, walk the waters, wash, wave, wheelbarrow, whelm, wield, wigwag, zoom