Float n.
 1. Anything which floats or rests on the surface of a fluid, as to sustain weight, or to indicate the height of the liquid surface, or mark the place of, something. Specifically: (a) A mass of timber or boards fastened together, and conveyed down a stream by the current; a raft. (b) The hollow, metallic ball of a self-acting faucet, which floats upon the water in a cistern or boiler. (c) The cork or quill used in angling, to support the bait line, and indicate the bite of a fish. (d) Anything used to buoy up whatever is liable to sink; an inflated bag or pillow used by persons learning to swim; a life preserver. (e) The hollow, metallic ball which floats on the fuel in the fuel tank of a vehicle to indicate the level of the fuel surface, and thus the amount of fuel remaining. (f) A hollow elongated tank mounted under the wing of a seaplane which causes the plane to float when resting on the surface of the water.
    This reform bill . . . had been used as a float by the conservative ministry.   --J. P. Peters.
 2. A float board. See Float board (below).
 3. Tempering A contrivance for affording a copious stream of water to the heated surface of an object of large bulk, as an anvil or die.
 4. The act of flowing; flux; flow. [Obs.]
 5. A quantity of earth, eighteen feet square and one foot deep. [Obs.]
 6. Plastering The trowel or tool with which the floated coat of plastering is leveled and smoothed.
 7. A polishing block used in marble working; a runner.
 8. A single-cut file for smoothing; a tool used by shoemakers for rasping off pegs inside a shoe.
 9. A coal cart. [Eng.]
 10. The sea; a wave. See Flote, n.
 Float board, one of the boards fixed radially to the rim of an undershot water wheel or of a steamer's paddle wheel; -- a vane.
 Float case Naut., a caisson used for lifting a ship.
 Float copper or Float gold Mining, fine particles of metallic copper or of gold suspended in water, and thus liable to be lost.
 Float ore, water-worn particles of ore; fragments of vein material found on the surface, away from the vein outcrop. --Raymond.
 Float stone Arch., a siliceous stone used to rub stonework or brickwork to a smooth surface.
 Float valve, a valve or cock acted upon by a float. See Float, 1 (b).