float
     n 1: the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank
          and its payment
     2: the number of shares outstanding and available for trading
        by the public
     3: a drink with ice cream floating in it [syn: {ice-cream soda},
         {ice-cream float}]
     4: an elaborate display mounted on a platform carried by a
        truck (or pulled by a truck) in a procession or parade
     5: a hand tool with a flat face used for smoothing and
        finishing the surface of plaster or cement or stucco [syn:
         {plasterer's float}]
     6: something that remains on the surface of a liquid
     v 1: be in motion due to some air or water current; "The leaves
          were blowing in the wind"; "the boat drifted on the
          lake"; "The sailboat was adrift on the open sea"; "the
          shipwrecked boat drifted away from the shore" [syn: {drift},
           {be adrift}, {blow}]
     2: be afloat; stay on a liquid surface; not sink [syn: {swim}]
        [ant: {sink}]
     3: set afloat; "He floated the logs down the river"; "The boy
        floated his toy boat on the pond"
     4: circulate or discuss tentatively; test the waters with; "The
        Republicans are floating the idea of a tax reform"
     5: move lightly, as if suspended; "The dancer floated across
        the stage"
     6: put into the water; "float a ship"
     7: make the surface of level or smooth; "float the plaster"
     8: allow (currencies) to fluctuate; "The government floated the
        ruble for a few months"
     9: convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point
        notation; "float data"
Source: WordNet® 2.0