[f. FLOAT v. + -ING1.]
1. The action of the vb. FLOAT in various senses.
a. intransitive uses.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 135.
| Thou art a flote thou weenst, beyng in the fleete: | |
| But flotyng and fleetyng agree not there meete. |
1587. Golding, De Mornay, viii. 98. And what els was it (if it were a true Storie) but a floting of a Uessell at the pleasure of the winde, without keeping of any certeyne course or direction?
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 391. In defect of which inward Checks, what more necessary, while we are at Sea in the Floatings of this world, than the faithfull Adviser?
1810–17. M. Wilks, Hist. Sketches S. India (1869), I. xxii. 479. The general charge [of cavalry] on the second line was observed by Hyder to be prepared but suspended, and a floating to take place along the whole mass.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sc. (1857), I. 56. The principle of things seeking their own places, was invented in order to account for the falling and floating of bodies.
1894. M. Grant, The Vanishing Moose, in Century Mag., Jan., 354/1. ‘Jacking,’ or ‘floating,’ for moose is seldom practised, from the difficulty found in getting close enough to flash the light on the game.
b. transitive uses.
1669. J. Worlidge, Syst. Agric., 270. Floating, or drowning, or watering of Meadows.
1883. R. Haldane, Workshop Receipts, Ser. II. 406/1. The washed clay is dried, slightly calcined, and immediately ground to fine powder. The floating is done by hand or power.
1888. Daily Tel., 18 Oct. The successful floating of the Salt Union.
2. concr. in Plastering. (Cf. FLOAT v. 16 a.)
1823. P. Nicholson, Pract. Build., 391. Floating, in plastering.—The second coat of three-coat work.
1873. Spon, Workshop Receipts, 122/1. The floating is of fine stuff with a little hair mixed with it.
3. Comb., as floating-trench; also floating-rule (= FLOAT sb. 16 a); floating-screed (see quot.).
1649. Blithe, Eng. Improv. Impr., vi. (1652), 27. The one called a Flowing, or Floating Trench, wherein I carry my water.
1785. W. Marshall, Midland Co. (1790), II. 60–1. To throw the rich waters, which are collected, in rainy seasons, on the common fields, lying on the side of the hill above the village, over the meadows, which are situated below it,—by means of floodgates and FLOATING TRENCHES, somewhat agreeably to the modern practice.
1842. Gwilt, Encycl. Archit., Gloss., Floating Screeds, strips of plaster previously set out on the work, at convenient intervals, for the range of the floating-rule or float.
