Sweep /(?)/

imp. & p. p. Swept; p. pr. & vb. n. Sweeping

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.

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.

   I have already swept the stakes.

3. To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.

   Their long descending train, With rubies edged and sapphires, swept the plain.

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.

5. To strike with a long stroke.

   Wake into voice each silent string, And sweep the sounding lyre.

6. To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the bottom of a river with a net. (Naut.)
7. To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a telescope.

1. To clean rooms, yards, etc., or to clear away dust, dirt, litter, etc., with a broom, brush, or the like.
2. To brush swiftly over the surface of anything; to pass with switness and force, as if brushing the surface of anything; to move in a stately manner; as, the wind sweeps across the plain; a woman sweeps through a drawing-room.
3. To pass over anything comprehensively; to range through with rapidity; as, his eye sweeps through space.

1. The act of sweeping.
2. The compass or range of a stroke; as, a long sweep.
3. The compass of any turning body or of any motion; as, the sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye.
4. The compass of anything flowing or brushing; as, the flood carried away everything within its sweep.
5. Violent and general destruction; as, the sweep of an epidemic disease.
6. Direction and extent of any motion not rectlinear; as, the sweep of a compass.
7. Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, or the like, away from a rectlinear line.

   The road which makes a small sweep.

8. One who sweeps; a sweeper; specifically, a chimney sweeper.
9. A movable templet for making molds, in loam molding. (Founding)
10. The mold of a ship when she begins to curve in at the rungheads; any part of a ship shaped in a segment of a circle. (Naut.)
11. The almond furnace. (Refining) [Obs.]
12. A long pole, or piece of timber, moved on a horizontal fulcrum fixed to a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well for drawing water.
13. In the game of casino, a pairing or combining of all the cards on the board, and so removing them all; in whist, the winning of all the tricks (thirteen) in a hand; a slam. (Card Playing)
14. The sweeping of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc.