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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Sweep \Sweep\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Swept}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sweeping}.] [OE. swepen; akin to AS. sw[=a]pan. See {Swoop}, verb (used without an object)]
1. To pass a broom across (a surface) so as to remove loose dirt, dust, etc.; to brush, or rub over, with a broom for the purpose of cleaning; as, to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney. Used also figuratively.
I will sweep it with the besom of destruction. --Isa. xiv. 23.
2. To drive or carry along or off with a broom or a brush, or as if with a broom; to remove by, or as if by, brushing; as, to sweep dirt from a floor; the wind sweeps the snow from the hills; a freshet sweeps away a dam, timber, or rubbish; a pestilence sweeps off multitudes.
The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies. --Isa. xxviii. 17.
I have already swept the stakes. --Dryden.
3. To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
Their long descending train, With rubies edged and sapphires, swept the plain. --Dryden.
4. To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
And like a peacock sweep along his tail. --Shak.
5. To strike with a long stroke.
Wake into voice each silent string, And sweep the sounding lyre. --Pope.
6. (Naut.) To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the bottom of a river with a net.
7. To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a telescope.
{To sweep a mold} or {To sweep up a mold} (Founding), to form the sand into a mold by a templet, instead of compressing it around the pattern.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Swept \Swept\, imp. & p. p. of {Sweep}.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
sweep
noun
1: a wide scope; "the sweep of the plains" [syn: {expanse}]
2: someone who cleans soot from chimneys [syn: {chimneysweeper}, {chimneysweep}]
3: winning all or all but one of the tricks in bridge [syn: {slam}]
4: a long oar used in an open boat [syn: {sweep oar}]
5: (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line [syn: {end run}]
6: a movement in an arc; "a sweep of his arm"
verb
1: sweep across or over; "Her long skirt brushed the floor"; "A gasp swept cross the audience" [syn: {brush}]
2: move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions; "The diva swept into the room"; "Shreds of paper sailed through the air"; "The searchlights swept across the sky" [syn: {sail}]
3: sweep with a broom or as if with a broom; "Sweep the crumbs off the table"; "Sweep under the bed" [syn: {broom}]
4: force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action; "They were swept up by the events"; "don't drag me into this business" [syn: {embroil}, {tangle}, {sweep up}, {drag}, {drag in}]
5: to cover or extend over an area or time period; "Rivers traverse the valley floor", "The parking lot spans 3 acres"; "The novel spans three centuries" [syn: {cross}, {traverse}, {span}]
6: clean by sweeping; "Please sweep the floor"
7: win an overwhelming victory in or on; "Her new show dog swept all championships"
8: cover the entire range of
9: make a big sweeping gesture or movement [syn: {swing}, {swing out}] [also: {swept}]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
swept
adjective: possessing sweep; "the sleek swept wings of the plane" [ant: {unswept}]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
swept See {sweep}
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |