Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Float \Float\ (fl[=o]t), n.[OE. flote ship, boat, fleet, AS.
   flota ship, fr. fle['o]tan to float; akin to D. vloot fleet,
   G. floss raft, Icel. floti float, raft, fleet, Sw. flotta.
   [root] 84. See {Fleet}, v. i., and cf. {Flotilla}, {Flotsam},
   {Plover}.]
   1. Anything which floats or rests on the surface of a fluid,
      as to sustain weight, or to indicate the height of the
      surface, or mark the place of, something. Specifically:
      (a) A mass of timber or boards fastened together, and
          conveyed down a stream by the current; a raft.
      (b) The hollow, metallic ball of a self-acting faucet,
          which floats upon the water in a cistern or boiler.
      (c) The cork or quill used in angling, to support the bait
          line, and indicate the bite of a fish.
      (d) Anything used to buoy up whatever is liable to sink;
          an inflated bag or pillow used by persons learning to
          swim; a life preserver.

                This reform bill . . . had been used as a float
                by the conservative ministry.     --J. P.
                                                  Peters.

   2. A float board. See {Float board} (below).

   3. (Tempering) 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.

   4. The act of flowing; flux; flow. [Obs.] --Bacon.

   5. A quantity of earth, eighteen feet square and one foot
      deep. [Obs.] --Mortimer.

   6. (Plastering) The trowel or tool with which the floated
      coat of plastering is leveled and smoothed.

   7. A polishing block used in marble working; a runner.
      --Knight.

   8. A single-cut file for smoothing; a tool used by shoemakers
      for rasping off pegs inside a shoe.

   9. A coal cart. [Eng.] --Simmonds.

   10. The sea; a wave. See {Flote}, n.

   {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) .