[f. FLOAT v. + -ATION = Fr. flottaison.
The spelling flotation is not etymologically justifiable, but is more common in use, prob. because it disguises the hybrid formation, so that the word appears more conformable to the general analogy of scientific terms.]
1. The action, fact, or process of floating, in various senses; the condition of keeping afloat.
Centre of floatation: the center of gravity in a floating body. Plane or line of floatation = Fr. flottaison, ligne de flottaison, the plane or line in which the horizontal surface of a fluid cuts a body floating in it. Stable floatation: the position of stable equilibrium in a floating body.
1806. O. G. Gregory, Mechanics, I. 377. The plane of floatation is the horizontal surface of the fluid in which the vessel floats.
c. 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 158–9. Water Lines, or Lines of Flotation. Those horizontal lines supposed to be described by the surface of the water on the bottom of a ship, and which are exhibited at certain depths upon the sheer draught.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xv. (1856), 115. In the older structures, where the degrading actions of the sea and air were aided by constantly recurring fractures, and with these constantly shifting centres of flotation, the changes had a more picturesque character; archways, natural bridges, terraces, and spiral ledges, from which the long icicles hung in grotesque and sparkling variety.
1853. Sir H. Douglas, Milit. Bridges (ed. 3), 52–3. It is true that the circular form is economical of means with respect to the volume inclosed, but this is of small importance when compared with the stability of the vessel and its power of floatation.
1867. W. Pengelly, Devon Trans., II. 264. It may be doubted whether they [these reasons] are capable of explaining the floatation of clouds.
1878. A. H. Markham, Gt. Frozen Sea, ii. 25. They [icebergs] were of very deep flotation, and great care had to be taken in steering the ship through, so as to avoid strikng these pieces more than was absolutely necessary.
1884. Sir K. Baggallay, in Law Rep., 15 Q. Bench Div., 171. During this period of flotation and transit the bill of lading becomes and remains the token or symbol of the goods.
attrib. 1883. Chamb. Jrnl., XX. 8 Dec., 771/1. Spherical buoys which are simply, as their name implies, globular, and show half or more of their shape above the flotation line.
2. The action of floating a company or enterprise.
1889. Financial Times, 23 Jan., 1. The London Mexican Prospecting and Finance Company, Limited. Since its flotation it has [etc.].
1893. Westm. Gaz., 1 May, 6/1. The flotation of this mine … is now contemplated.
