[f. FLOATING ppl. a. + LIGHT sb.] a. A lightship: called also more fully, floaling-light-vessel. b. A life-buoy with a lantern, for use when any one falls overboard at night.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 94. A vessel was then fitting out … as a temporary floating Light. Ibid., Till the determination in respect to the floating light-vessel was known.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Floating-light, a life-buoy carried at a ship’s stern, with a light or lanthorn, which can be dropped into the sea, in order to save any one falling overboard at night.
