Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Raft
Raft
,Noun.
[Originally, a rafter, spar, and fr. Icel. ]
raptr
a rafter; akin to Dan. raft
, Prov. G. raff
a rafter, spar; cf. OHG. rāfo
, rāvo
, a beam, rafter, Icel. rāf
roof. Cf. Rafter
, Noun.
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.
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.]
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.
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.]
(Zool.)
(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.
Raft
,Verb.
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
timberWebster 1828 Edition
Raft
R'AFT
,Noun.
An assemblage of boards, planks or pieces of timber fastened together horizontally and floated down a stream; a float.
R'AFT
,pp.
Torn; rent; severed. Obs.