afloatadv/əˈfloʊt/

• 1

  In or into a state of floating.

  • You have so little Brains, that a Penn’orth of Butter melted under ’um, would set ’um afloat:
  • […] I went down to my Boat, got the Water out of her, and got her afloat, loaded all my Cargo in her, and then went Home again for more;
• 2

  In, or while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water; at sea.

  • […] that trade […] may likewise employ many useful hands both ashore and afloat,
  • They was the roughest crew afloat, was Flint’s; the devil himself would have been feared to go to sea with them.
• 3

  Under water (bearing floating objects).

  • 1695, Edmund Gibson (translator), Camden’s Britannia, London: A. Swalle, “Staffordshire,” […] it [the River Dove] overflows and lays the meadows afloat in April, like another Nile.
• 4

  informationIn or into circulation or currency.

  • setting a lie aflote
  • […] I shall not be judged fairly; it will get afloat that I am not a good girl,
• 5

  obsoleteIn or into a condition of stimulation, arousal, confusion, bewilderment, etc.

  • No angry passions rise to disturb the silent progress of the work, […] no irritable humours are set afloat:
  • […] they knew how to abstain from the overdose of liquor that sets the brain afloat and loosens the tongue.

afloatadj/əˈfloʊt/

• 1

  Floating.

  • A rubber duck and other toys were afloat in the bath.
  • On such a full sea are we now afloat; / And we must take the current when it serves, / Or lose our ventures.
• 2

  In, or found while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water.

  • […] that trade […] may likewise employ many useful hands both ashore and afloat,
• 3

  Floating in the air; flowing freely; not tied, braided, etc. (of hair or clothing)

  • her black hair loose and a-float down her dazzling white neck
  • unbound silvery-gold tresses afloat beneath a jeweled coronet
• 4

  Covered with water, bearing floating objects.

  • The decks are afloat.
  • The yard was afloat. Jody looked out of the window and saw two drowned biddies floating about with upturned bellies.
• 5

  Covered, overspread, filled (with or in something).

  • The larch-wood was afloat with clear, lyric green,
  • The world was afloat in primrose light, pale and exquisite.
• 6

  Having just enough resources to continue to operate; barely able to pay expenses; (of a private individual, family, etc.) keeping one's head above water.

  • The donation will keep our business afloat for quite a while.
  • […] you nede not to be sorye, as thoughe your frendely liberalitie had not be very acceptable vnto me. I haue receaued euery thing, and now I am afloate, by your lyberall sendyng.
• 7

  informationBelieved or talked about by many people; being passed from person to person.

  • The supervisor was never fired, though countless accusations of dishonesty were afloat.
  • […] she and I were accepted, whatever ugly rumours had been afloat in the past year, as man and wife.
• 8

  obsoleteStimulated, aroused, activated.

  • You’ll find, when once my passion is afloat, / The soul of Caesar, in a petticoat!
  • My half frozen blood and my fears again afloat made me tremble through every limb;

afloatprep/əˈfloʊt/

• 1

  obsoleteFloating upon.

  • early 1600s, John Webster and William Rowley, The Thracian Wonder, London: Thomas Johnson, 1661, Act I, Scene 1, But Huswife, as for you, / You with your Brat, wee’l send afloat the Main,
  • […] great wee see must be the art and cunning of that man, that keeps him afloat the streame of Soveraigne favour,