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float
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1n. — Lumbering
a length of buoyant wood forming part of the framework of a crib (def. 2) used in rafting oak and other timber. See picture at raft (def. 2).
Quotations
1854
[Cribs] are formed by placing two round logs, called "floats," about twenty-four feet apart, and bringing the squared timber between them; across the whole, four or five rather large sized poles called "traverses" are laid and pinned at each end to the floats.
1896
The floats on the sides were generally round sticks bored to take two and a half inch pins to secure the cross pieces (traverses). . . .
1945
The materials for the wooden framework of the rafts, as they were built forty years ago, were very simple. They were: "floats," 42' long, 7" diameter at the top and flatted to 7" thickness at the butt; traverses, 32' long, 3" or 4" at the top, not flatted; "pickets," or pins, about 1 1/2" diameter.
2n. — Mining
fragments of rock, especially mineral-bearing rock, separated from the original bedrock.
Quotations
1905
Iron ore occurs merely as float in the wash of both the Bonnet Plume and Snake Rivers.
1936
Though green at the business of hawking float, he walked over to the torn rocker, a shallow cradle-like contraption with galvanized lining and two handles, and studied it.
1966
Attention was then transferred to . . . an area of know[n] float, some ten miles north west of the Vangords [lead-zinc] deposit.
3n.
a dwelling built on floats at the shore, and usually so built that it can be towed from one mooring to another.
See: floathouse
Quotations
1953
In the hot afternoon he slipped down to the float, / Cooked a scheme up in secret, he'd be round with a boat. . . .
4n. — Esp. North
a floatplane.
Quotations
1965
An Ontario flying service wanted a pilot with float (seaplane) experience.