raft

n. a flat boat made of logs or other materials that floats on water.

n. a flat-bottomed craft, often constructed from logs or planks, used for transport or as a stable waterborne platform.

“The children built a wooden raft to float across the pond.”

“The survivors constructed a makeshift raft from debris, hoping the current would carry them toward the shipping lanes.”

n. a large number or collection of things.

n. a large, often unspecified, number or collection of items or issues.

“The government introduced a raft of new measures to improve the economy.”

“The new CEO implemented a raft of structural changes designed to streamline production and reduce overhead costs.”

n. a layer of egg whites and meat that clears a soup while it cooks.

n. a mass of congealed solids, primarily egg whites, that forms on the surface of a consommé to clarify it by trapping impurities.

“The chef carefully removed the raft from the top of the clear soup.”

“To achieve a perfectly clear consommé, the chef allowed the raft to simmer undisturbed before straining the liquid through cheesecloth.”

Technical

n. a piece of toasted bread.

n. a slice of toast, typically used as a base for other ingredients.

“I'll have two eggs on a raft for breakfast, please.”

“The diner menu featured 'Adam and Eve on a raft' as a humorous name for two poached eggs on toast.”

American English · Slang

v. to travel on a river using a raft.

v. to travel or transport goods by means of a raft; often used intransitively.

“They spent the weekend rafting down the Colorado River.”

“The expedition planned to raft the length of the river, documenting the flora and fauna along the banks.”