flotation

A state of floating, or being afloat.

Noun

  1. A state of floating, or being afloat.
  2. The ability (as of a tire or snowshoes) to stay on the surface of soft ground or snow.
  3. A process of separating minerals by agitating a mixture with water and detergents etc; selected substances being carried to the surface in air bubbles.
  4. The launching onto the market of a tranche of stocks or shares, usually a new issue.

Origin

Etymology tree English float Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English flotation From float + -ation.

Forms

flotations floatation

Derived

bioflotation centre of flotation electroflotation flotate flotational flotation collar flotation cost flotation tank flotation therapy froth flotation personal flotation device reflotation vibroflotation