floor

floor [flôr]

n.

[ME flor < OE, akin to Ger flur, a plain < IE base * plā-, broad, flat > PLAIN¹]

1. the inside bottom surface of a room, hall, etc., on which one stands or walks

2. the bottom surface of anything [the ocean floor]

3. the platform of a bridge, pier, etc.

4. a level or story in a building [an office on the sixth floor]

5.

a) the part of a legislative chamber, stock exchange, etc. occupied by the members and not including the gallery or platform

b) such members as a group

☆ 6. permission or the right to speak in an assembly [to ask a chairman for the floor]

7. a lower limit set on anything, as by official regulation

vt.

1. to cover or furnish with a floor

2. to knock down

3. Informal

a) to be the victor over; defeat

b) to flabbergast; astound

4. Informal to press down to the floor: often in the phrase floor it, to depress the accelerator of a vehicle to the floorboard in order to go as fast as possible

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☆ from the floor Basketball

during the time of a game when active defense is permitted [they shot 56% from the floor]