FLEET, n. [Fleet and float See M to be allied. but whether they are formed from the root of flow, or whether the last consonant is radical, is not obvious. See Float.]
A navy or squadron of ships; a number of ships in company, whether ships of war, or of commerce. It more generally signifies ships of war.
FLEET, a. [Eng. to flit.]
1. Swift of pace; moving or able to move with rapidity; nimble; light and quick in motion, or moving with lightness and celerity; as a fleet horse or dog.
2. Moving with velocity; as fleet winds.
3. Light; superficially fruitful; or thin; not penetrating deep; as soil.
4. Skimming the surface.
FLEET, v.i.
1. To fly swiftly; to hasten; to flit as a light substance. To fleet away is to vanish.
How all the other passions fleet to air.
2. To be in a transient state.
3. to float.
FLEET, v.t.
1. to skim the surface; to pass over rapidly; as a ship that fleets the gulf.
2. To pass lightly, or in mirth and joy; as, to fleet away time. [Not used.]
3. To skim milk. [Local, in England.]
The verb in the transitive form is rarely or never used in America.
