afloat, adv. and pred. a., formerly phr.
(əˈfləʊt)
Forms: 1 on flŏte, on flŏt, 2–6 on flote, 6– a flote, 6–7 a floate, 6– a-float, afloat.
[f. on prep. + float n.]
I. literally.
1. On the sea, or on any water of sufficient depth to buoy up anything; hence, in a floating condition, in opposition to being aground; at sea, in opposition to being in dock or in the dockyard. (Used also of figurative seas and streams, e.g. of life.)
| 993 Battle of Maldon (Sweet) 41 We willað..{uacu}s tó scipe gangan, on flot féran. 1023 Charter of Canute in Cod. Diplom. IV. 23 Ðæt scip bið aflote. 1070 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1037 Wǽron ðá {uacu}tlaᵹas ealle on flote. 1587 Golding De Mornay viii. 98 The first Ship that euer was set a flote, was vpon the red Sea. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 29 ¶10 Whatever is afloat in the stream of time. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. on Waters I. 216 In baths..a gross fat substance has been found afloat. 1851 Helps Friends in C. I. 27 Send them afloat in the wide sea of humanity. |
2. Of persons or goods: At sea; on board ship; esp. in the navy or fleet; in naval service.
| 1330 R. Brunne Chron. 169 Now er alle on flote, God gif þam grace to spede. 1704 Addison Italy (J.) There are generally several hundred loads of timber afloat. 1815 Wellington in Gurwood's Desp. XII. 239 He commanded the force afloat. 1879 Standard 15 Apr., The quantity [of wheat] afloat is still as much as 1,421,000 qrs. |
3. In a state of overflow or submersion.
| 1591 Spenser Bellay's Vis. ix. 7 Whose out-gushing flood Ran bathing all the creakie shore aflot. 1745 Gay Wks. VI. 256 The meads are all afloat, the haycocks swim. 1836 Marryat Midsh. Easy xxii. 104 There was no trouble in wetting them, for the main deck was afloat. |
4. In a state of suspension or floating motion in the air; buoyed up or spread out lightly like a thing floating.
| 1825 Br. Jonathan III. 316 His own hair afloat over it; like a vapour of spun gold. 1855 Browning Men & Women II. 5 Carelessly passing with your robes afloat. |
II. From the state of a ship or other body floating on the sea, with reference to its liberty of motion, its being on the surface, its being at the mercy of the waves, its motion hither and thither, etc., are derived various figurative uses of afloat; as,
5. Free from embarrassments, like a ship off the ground; out of debt, paying one's way; having ‘one's head above water.’
| 1538 Latimer Serm. & Rem. (1845) 412 Shortly cometh on my half-year's rent; and then I shall be afloat again. c 1600 Shakes. Sonn. 80 Your shallowest help will hold me up afloat. 1644 Howell Lett. (J.) My heart is still afloat; my spirits shall not sink. |
6. Fully started in any career.
| 1559 Myrroure for Mag., Cade xi. 1 Fortune setting us a flote. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey vii. iii. 398 One of the most successful periodical publications ever set afloat. |
7. In full swing, in full activity.
| 1604 T. Wright Passions of Mind ii. i. 49 While the Passion is afloate. 1728 G. Carleton Mem. Eng. Officer 91 Yet all these Difficulties, instead of discouraging the Earl, set every Faculty of his more afloat. 1826 Scott Woodst. xxii. (1846) 199 Since the loss of the battle of Worcester, he had been afloat again, and more active than ever. |
8. In currency in the world or in society; passing at large from one person to another; in general diffusion or circulation.
| 1586 T. B. tr. La Primaudaye's Fr. Acad. 349 The fire of sedition, which setteth a floate all kinds of impietie. 1628 Digby Voy. to Medit. Pref. (1868) 38 The many mistakes which are afloat concerning him. 1853 Bright Sp. 3 June 2 Various rumours were afloat. 1877 Kinglake Crimea (ed. 6) I. ii. 35 It is true that strange doctrines were afloat. |
b. Comm. In currency as negociable documents, without coming to an actual discharge of liability.
| Mod. To keep bills, ‘paper,’ afloat. |
9. Unfixed, unsettled, adrift; moving without guide or control.
| 1714 T. Ellwood Hist. of Life (1765) 291 Applause setting his Head afloat. 1757 Symmer in Ellis Orig. Lett. ii. 471 IV. 403 Affairs are in a manner all afloat. |