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THESAURUS
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swab
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun swab has 2 senses
- swab(n = noun.artifact) Array - implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a specimen of a secretion; Array is a kind of implement
- swab(n = noun.artifact) mop, swob - cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material fastened to a handle; for cleaning floors; Array is a kind of cleaning device, cleaning equipment, cleaning implement
Derived form verb swab2
has particulars: dry mop, dust mop, dustmop, sponge mop
has parts: mop handle
Derived form verb swab1
Verb swab has 2 senses
- swab(v = verb.contact) swob - wash with a swab or a mop; "swab the ship's decks" is one way to mop, mop up, wipe up
- swab(v = verb.contact) dab, swob - apply (usually a liquid) to a surface; "dab the wall with paint" is one way to apply, put on
Derived forms noun swab2, noun swabbing1
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s something
Derived form noun swab1
Sample sentence:
They swab the bread with melted butter
CIDE DICTIONARY
To clean with a mop or swab; to wipe when very wet, as after washing; as, to swab the desk of a ship. [1913 Webster]
swab, n. [Written also swob.].
- A kind of mop for cleaning floors, the desks of vessels, etc., esp. one made of rope-yarns or threads. [1913 Webster]
- A bit of sponge, cloth, or the like, fastened to a handle, for cleansing the mouth of a sick person, applying medicaments to deep-seated parts, etc. [1913 Webster]
- An epaulet. Marryat. [1913 Webster]
- A cod, or pod, as of beans or pease. Bailey. [1913 Webster]
- A sponge, or other suitable substance, attached to a long rod or handle, for cleaning the bore of a firearm. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
swab, n. & v. (also swob)
--n.
1 a mop or other absorbent device for cleaning or mopping up.
2 a an absorbent pad used in surgery. b a specimen of a possibly morbid secretion taken with a swab for examination.
3 sl. a term of contempt for a person.
--v.tr. (swabbed, swabbing)
1 clean with a swab.
2 (foll. by up) absorb (moisture) with a swab.
--n.
1 a mop or other absorbent device for cleaning or mopping up.
2 a an absorbent pad used in surgery. b a specimen of a possibly morbid secretion taken with a swab for examination.
3 sl. a term of contempt for a person.
--v.tr. (swabbed, swabbing)
1 clean with a swab.
2 (foll. by up) absorb (moisture) with a swab.
Etymology
back-form. f. swabber f. early mod.Du. zwabber f. a Gmc base = 'splash, sway'
THESAURUS
swab
air-dry, anhydrate, bake, baptize, bath, bathe, blot, brush, burn, cure, dehumidify, dehydrate, desiccate, douche, drain, dry, evaporate, exsiccate, fire, flush, flush out, gargle, holystone, insolate, irrigate, kiln, lather, launder, lave, mop, mop up, mummify, parch, rinse, rinse out, ritually immerse, rub, scorch, scour, scrub, scrub up, sear, shampoo, shower, shrivel, sluice, sluice out, smoke, soak up, soap, sponge, sun, sun-dry, syringe, toivel, torrefy, towel, tub, wash, wash out, wash up, weazen, wipe, wither, wizenROGET THESAURUS
swab
Cleanness
N cleanness, cleanliness, purity, cleaning, purification, defecation, purgation, lustration, detersion, abstersion, epuration, mundation, ablution, lavation, colature, disinfection, drainage, sewerage, lavatory, laundry, washhouse, washerwoman, laundress, dhobi, laundryman, washerman, scavenger, dustman, sweep, white wings brush, broom, besom, mop, rake, shovel, sieve, riddle, screen, filter, blotter, napkin, cloth, maukin, malkin, handkerchief, towel, sudary, doyley, doily, duster, sponge, mop, swab, cover, drugget, wash, lotion, detergent, cathartic, purgative, purifier, disinfectant, aperient, benzene, benzine benzol, benolin, bleaching powder, chloride of lime, dentifrice, deobstruent, laxative, clean, cleanly, pure, immaculate, spotless, stainless, taintless, trig, without a stain, unstained, unspotted, unsoiled, unsullied, untainted, uninfected, sweet, sweet as a nut, neat, spruce, tidy, trim, gimp, clean as a new penny, like a cat in pattens, cleaned, kempt, abstergent, cathartic, cleansing, purifying, neatly, clean as a whistle.VB be clean, render clean, clean, cleanse, mundify, rinse, wring, flush, full, wipe, mop, sponge, scour, swab, scrub, brush up, wash, lave, launder, buck, absterge, deterge, decrassify, clear, purify, depurate, despumate, defecate, purge, expurgate, elutriate, lixiviate, edulcorate, clarify, refine, rack, filter, filtrate, drain, strain, disinfect, fumigate, ventilate, deodorize, whitewash, castrate, emasculate, sift, winnow, pick, weed, comb, rake, brush, sweep, rout out, clear out, sweep out, make a clean sweep of.
Bungler
N bungler, blunderer, blunderhead, marplot, fumbler, lubber, duffer, dauber, stick, bad hand, poor hand, poor shot, butterfingers, no conjurer, flat, muff, slow coach, looby, lubber, swab, clod, yokel, awkward squad, blanc-bec, galoot, land lubber, fresh water sailor, fair weather sailor, horse marine, fish out of water, ass in lion's skin, jackdaw in peacock's feathers, quack, lord of misrule, sloven, slattern, trapes, amateur, novice, greenhorn (learner), il n'a pas invente' la poudre, he will never set the Thames on fire, acierta errando, aliquis in omnibus nullus in singulis.Dryness
VB be dry, render dry, dry, dry up, soak up, sponge, swab, wipe, drain, desiccate, dehydrate, exsiccate, parch, kiln dry, vacuum dry, blow dry, oven dry, hang out to dry, mummify, be fine, hold up.
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