sweep
//swiːp//
Forms
- present (v1)
- sweep
- past (v2)
- swept
- past participle (v3)
- swept
- present participle
- sweeping
- 3rd person singular
- sweeps
- Plural
- sweeps
Definitions
1.To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush.
- I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.
2.To move through a (horizontal) arc or similar long stroke.
- The wind sweeps across the plain.
- The offended countess swept out of the ballroom.
3.To search (a place) methodically.
4.To travel quickly.
- Everton took that disputed lead in a moment that caused anger to sweep around the Emirates.
- Drifting thus, we made fast time down the bank through Cove Bay, and at 72 m.p.h. came sweeping round the curve past Girdleness light house, and so to the first sight of Aberdeen itself.
1.The person who steers a dragon boat.
2.A person who stands at the stern of a surf boat, steering with a steering oar and commanding the crew.
3.A single action of sweeping.
- Give the front steps a quick sweep to get rid of those fallen leaves.
4.A chimney sweep.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3181
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English swepen, from Proto-West Germanic *swaipijan (unattested in Old English), from Proto-Germanic *swaipijaną.
Cognate with Early Modern West Frisian swiepe (“whip, cleanse, sweep”), from Old Frisian swēpa, suepa (“sweep”).