n.
1 a a number of warships under one commander-in-chief. b (prec. by the) all the warships and merchant-ships of a nation.
2 a number of ships, aircraft, buses, lorries, taxis, etc. operating together or owned by one proprietor.
Phrases and idioms:
Fleet Admiral see ADMIRAL. Fleet Air Arm hist. the aviation service of the Royal Navy.
Etymology: OE fleot ship, shipping f. fleotan float, FLEET(5)
2.
adj. poet. literary swift; nimble.
Derivatives:
fleetly adv. fleetness n.
Etymology: prob. f. ON fljoacutetr f. Gmc: cf. FLEET(5)
3.
n. dial.
1 a creek; an inlet.
2 (the Fleet) a an underground stream running into the Thames east of Fleet St. b hist. a prison that stood near it.
Phrases and idioms:
Fleet Street
1 the London press.
2 British journalism or journalists.
Etymology: OE fleot f. Gmc: cf. FLEET(5)
4.
adj. & adv. dial.
—adj. (of water) shallow.
—adv. at or to a small depth (plough fleet).
Etymology: orig. uncert.: perh. f. OE fleat (unrecorded), rel. to FLEET(5)
5.
v.intr. archaic 1 glide away; vanish; be transitory.
2 (usu. foll. by away) (of time) pass rapidly; slip away.
3 move swiftly; fly.
Etymology: OE fleotan float, swim f. Gmc
Useful english dictionary. 2012.