Obs. Also 5–6 flot, 6 Sc. floit. [OE. flota wk. masc. = MDu. vlote, ON. flote: see FLOAT sb. In sense 2 ad. Sp. flota: see FLOTA.]
1. A fleet or flotilla.
O. E. Chron., ann. 975.
| Næs se flota swa rang | |
| ne se here saw strang. |
c. 1275. Lay., 2155.
| Humber king and his flote | |
| and his mochele ferde | |
| comen on Albanac his lond. |
1375. Barbour, Bruce, III. 600.
| And that he had na ner socouris | |
| Then the kingis flote. |
c. 1470. Henry the Minstrel, Wallace, IX. 98. The lakest schip, that is his flot within.
1577. in Hakluyt, Voy. (1599), I. 296. The good ship named the Primerose, shalbe Admirall of this flote.
2. = FLOTA 1.
1673. Ray, Journ. Low C., 484. The Longha [in Sevil], where the Merchants meet about the affairs of the flote.
