adv. and pred. a., formerly phr. 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 sb.]
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 … ús 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 útlaʓas 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.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 169. Now er alle on flote, God gif þam grace to spede.
1704. Addison, Italy, 530 (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 April. 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. J. Neal, Bro. Jonathan, III. 316. His own hair afloat over it; like a vapour of spun gold.
1855. Browning, Men & Wom., 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. Shaks., Sonn., 80. Your shallowest help will hold me up afloat.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1688), IV. 488 (U.). He struck his hand on his breast, and said, My heart, I thank God, is still afloat, my spirits shall not sink with the ship, nor go an inch lower.
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. [? De Foe], Capt. G. Carleton’s Mem., 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., trans. 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. (3 June) Bright, Sp., 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. 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.
