Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Afloat \A*float"\, adv. & a.
   Covered with water bearing floating articles; flooded; as,
   the decks are afloat.

Afloat \A*float"\ ([.a]*fl[=o]t"), adv. & a. [Pref. a- + float.]
   1. Borne on the water; floating; on board ship.

            On such a full sea are we now afloat. --Shak.

   2. Moving; passing from place to place; in general
      circulation; as, a rumor is afloat.

   3. Unfixed; moving without guide or control; adrift; as, our
      affairs are all afloat.

Source : WordNet®

afloat
     adj 1: aimlessly drifting [syn: {adrift(p)}, {afloat(p)}, {aimless},
             {directionless}, {planless}, {rudderless}, {undirected}]
     2: borne on the water; floating [syn: {afloat(p)}] [ant: {aground(p)},
         {sunken}]
     3: covered with water; "the main deck was afloat (or awash)";
        "the monsoon left the whole place awash"; "a flooded
        bathroom"; "inundated farmlands"; "an overflowing tub"
        [syn: {afloat(p)}, {awash(p)}, {flooded}, {inundated}, {overflowing}]