1. To sail; to float. [Obs.] And in frail wood on Adrian Gulf doth fleet. Spenser.
2. To fly swiftly; to pass over quickly; to hasten; to flit as a light substance. All the unaccomplished works of Nature's hand, . . . Dissolved on earth, fleet hither. Milton.
3. (Naut.)
Defn: To slip on the whelps or the barrel of a capstan or windlass; - - said of a cable or hawser.
FLEET
Fleet, v. t.
1. To pass over rapidly; to skin the surface of; as, a ship that fleets the gulf. Spenser.
2. To hasten over; to cause to pass away lighty, or in mirth and joy. Many young gentlemen flock to him, and fleet the time carelessly. Shak.
3. (Naut.) (a) To draw apart the blocks of; — said of a tackle. Totten. (b) To cause to slip down the barrel of a capstan or windlass, as a rope or chain.
FLEET Fleet, a. [Compar. Fleeter; superl. Fleetest.] Etym: [Cf. Icel. flj quick. See Fleet, v. i.]
1. Swift in motion; moving with velocity; light and quick in going from place to place; nimble. In mail their horses clad, yet fleet and strong. Milton.