float etymology

Etymology

• French: flotter (to float)
• Latin: fluctuare (to move in waves)
• Proto-Indo-European: *(s)pel-aw-o- (to swim, splash)

Meaning

A float is an object that can stay afloat on the surface of a liquid. It can be designed with a lightweight material, such as rubber or plastic, and often has an enclosed space that contains air or a gas.

Origin

The concept of a float has been known for centuries. The ancient Egyptians used floats made of reeds to cross the Nile River. In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci invented a flotation device that could support the weight of a person. In the 19th century, pneumatic tires were developed, which made it possible to create floats that could be used for transportation.

Today, floats are used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Transportation: Boats, rafts, and airplanes use floats to stay afloat on water.
• Recreation: Float toys are used for swimming and playing in the water.
• Measurement: Float valves are used to regulate the flow of liquids in pipes.
• Construction: Float switches are used to detect the level of liquids in tanks.

float relate terms

• afloat

  Etymology The word afloat is derived from the Middle English word aflote which in tu

• float

  Etymology French flotter to float Latin fluctuare to move in waves Proto Indo Euro

• floater

  Etymology of floater The word floater derives from the late Middle English term flo

• float

  Etymology French flotter to float Latin fluctuare to move in waves Proto Indo Euro

• flotsam

  Etymology Middle English from Middle French from Old Norse flotsamr from flōt sea

• flutter

  Etymology The word flutter is derived from the Old English word floteren which mean

• sink

  Etymology The word sink originated from the Middle English word sinke which itself

• fleet

  Etymology The word fleet has its origins in the Old English word fleotan meaning t

• vogue

  Etymology Late Middle English from Middle French vogue from Old French voguer to row

• buoy

  Etymology The word buoy comes from the Middle Dutch word boye meaning float Mean

• cork

  Etymology The word cork derives from the Latin word cortex which means bark Mea

• rock

  Etymology The word rock originates from the Old English word rocc which meant a la

• master

  Etymology The word master comes from the Old French word maistre which in turn comes

• stream

  Etymology The word stream comes from the Middle English word strem which in turn der