floating, float definition

Floating an element in CSS allows the element to be positioned to the right or left of its containing block and for other content to flow around it with respect to its edges.  Each floated element creates a block box despite any kind of box that would have been created if it was not floated.  A floated element is positioned depending on certain rules such as:  1) The right outer edge (or left) can not be to the right inner edge (or left) of the element’s containing block.  2) The top of a floating element can not be above the top of any previous block-level or floating element. 3) The top of a floating element can not be higher than the inner top of the element’s block container. 4) An element that is floated needs to be positioned as high as it can be placed.  5) An element that is floated left needs to be placed to the left as much as it can be (and the same principle applies to a right floated element).