afloat

In or into a state of floating.

You have so little Brains, that a Penn’orth of Butter melted under ’um, would set ’um afloat:

[…] I went down to my Boat, got the Water out of her, and got her afloat, loaded all my Cargo in her, and then went Home again for more;

In, or while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water; at sea.

[…] that trade […] may likewise employ many useful hands both ashore and afloat,

They was the roughest crew afloat, was Flint’s; the devil himself would have been feared to go to sea with them.

Under water (bearing floating objects).

1695, Edmund Gibson (translator), Camden’s Britannia, London: A. Swalle, “Staffordshire,” […] it [the River Dove] overflows and lays the meadows afloat in April, like another Nile.

In or into circulation or currency.

setting a lie aflote

[…] I shall not be judged fairly; it will get afloat that I am not a good girl,

In or into a condition of stimulation, arousal, confusion, bewilderment, etc.

No angry passions rise to disturb the silent progress of the work, […] no irritable humours are set afloat:

[…] they knew how to abstain from the overdose of liquor that sets the brain afloat and loosens the tongue.

Floating.

A rubber duck and other toys were afloat in the bath.

On such a full sea are we now afloat; / And we must take the current when it serves, / Or lose our ventures.

In, or found while in, a vessel at sea or on another body of water.

[…] that trade […] may likewise employ many useful hands both ashore and afloat,

Floating in the air; flowing freely; not tied, braided, etc. (of hair or clothing)

her black hair loose and a-float down her dazzling white neck

unbound silvery-gold tresses afloat beneath a jeweled coronet

Covered with water, bearing floating objects.

The decks are afloat.

The yard was afloat. Jody looked out of the window and saw two drowned biddies floating about with upturned bellies.

Covered, overspread, filled (with or in something).

The larch-wood was afloat with clear, lyric green,

The world was afloat in primrose light, pale and exquisite.

Floating upon.

early 1600s, John Webster and William Rowley, The Thracian Wonder, London: Thomas Johnson, 1661, Act I, Scene 1, But Huswife, as for you, / You with your Brat, wee’l send afloat the Main,

[…] great wee see must be the art and cunning of that man, that keeps him afloat the streame of Soveraigne favour,