float

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float vb. Late OE. flotian = OS. flotōn (MDu. vlōten), ON. flota :- Gmc. *flotōjan, f. *flot-, weak grade of base of FLEET3. Reinforced in ME. by, if not entirely due to, OF. floter (mod. flotter) :- Rom. *flottāre, prob. — Gmc. *flot-, floatation see FLOTATION,
So float sb. OE. flot sea. = ON. flot and OE. flota ship, fleet = ON. floti; various mod. uses are f. the vb.

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