Raft

Raft
Raft Raft, n. [Originally, a rafter, spar, and fr. Icel. raptr a rafter; akin to Dan. raft, Prov. G. raff a rafter, spar; cf. OHG. r[=a]fo, r[=a]vo, a beam, rafter, Icel. r[=a]f roof. Cf. {Rafter}, n.] 1. A collection of logs, boards, pieces of timber, or the like, fastened together, either for their own collective conveyance on the water, or to serve as a support in conveying other things; a float. [1913 Webster]

2. A collection of logs, fallen trees, etc. (such as is formed in some Western rivers of the United States), which obstructs navigation. [U.S.] [1913 Webster]

3. [Perhaps akin to raff a heap.] A large collection of people or things taken indiscriminately. [Slang, U. S.] ``A whole raft of folks.'' --W. D. Howells. [1913 Webster]

{Raft bridge}. (a) A bridge whose points of support are rafts. (b) A bridge that consists of floating timbers fastened together.

{Raft duck}. [The name alludes to its swimming in dense flocks.] (Zo["o]l.) (a) The bluebill, or greater scaup duck; -- called also {flock duck}. See {Scaup}. (b) The redhead.

{Raft port} (Naut.), a large, square port in a vessel's side for loading or unloading timber or other bulky articles; a timber or lumber port. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • raft — raft1 [raft, räft] n. [ME rafte, beam, rafter < ON raptr, log: see RAFTER1] 1. a flat, buoyant structure of logs, boards, barrels, etc. fastened together; specif., one used like a boat as in an emergency or in shallow water 2. a similar… …   English World dictionary

  • raft — [ raft ] n. m. • 1985; mot angl. ♦ Embarcation gonflable insubmersible manœuvrée à la pagaie et utilisée pour la descente des rapides (⇒ rafting). ● raft nom masculin (mot anglais) Radeau pneumatique pour la pratique du rafting. raft n. m.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • raft — [rɑːft ǁ ræft] noun a raft of something a large number of things: • There has been a raft of new laws aimed at giving better protection to children in the past few years. * * * raft UK US /rɑːft/ US  /ræft/ noun [C] ● a raft of sth Cf. a raft of… …   Financial and business terms

  • Raft — Raft, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rafted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Rafting}.] To transport on a raft, or in the form of a raft; to make into a raft; as, to raft timber. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Raft — 〈n. 15〉 schwimmende Insel [engl., „Floß“] * * * Raft, das; s, s [engl. raft, eigtl. = Floß, zu: rafter = (Dach)sparren, aus dem Anord.]: 1. schwimmende Insel aus [Treib]holz. 2. Schlauchboot, mit dem Rafting betrieben wird. * * * Raft, das; s, s… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • raft — Ⅰ. raft [1] ► NOUN 1) a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform. 2) a small inflatable boat. 3) a floating mass of fallen trees, ice, etc. ► VERB ▪ travel or transport on or as if …   English terms dictionary

  • Raft — bezeichnet: ein Rafting, mit dem ein Fluss, gewöhnlich schwereres Wildwasser, befahren wird. in der Zellbiologie Lipid Rafts, Cholesterin reiche Lipid „Inseln“ in Plasmamembran Leaflets. Raft ist der Familienname folgender Personen: George Raft… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • raft — [ra:ft US ræft] n [Sense: 1, 3 4; Date: 1200 1300; : Old Norse; Origin: raptr large piece of wood, rafter ] [Sense: 2; Date: 1800 1900; Origin: raff mixture of things (17 19 centuries), influenced by RAFT1] 1.) a flat floating structure, usually… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • raft — [ ræft ] noun count 1. ) a simple flat boat made by tying long pieces of wood together a ) a small light boat made of rubber or plastic 2. ) a flat structure that floats on a lake, river, etc. that people can swim to and lie on a raft of INFORMAL …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Raft — (r[.a]ft), obs. imp. & p. p. of {Reave}. Spenser. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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