I. ˈflēt verb
Etymology: Middle English fleten, from Old English flēotan; akin to Old High German fliozzan to float, Old English flōwan to flow
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : drift
2.
a. archaic : flow
b. : to fade away : vanish
3.
[ fleet (III)]
: to fly swiftly
transitive verb
: to cause (time) to pass usually quickly or imperceptibly
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English flete, from Old English flēot ship, from flēotan
Date: 13th century
1. : a number of warships under a single command ; specifically : an organization of ships and aircraft under the command of a flag officer
2. : group 2a, b ; especially : a group (as of ships, planes, or trucks) operated under unified control
III. adjective
Etymology: probably from fleet (I)
Date: circa 1529
1. : swift in motion : nimble
2. : evanescent , fleeting
Synonyms: see fast
• fleet·ly adverb
• fleet·ness noun