Sweep \Sweep\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swept; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sweeping.]
[OE. swepen; akin to AS. sw[=a]pan. See Swoop,
v. i.]
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, or sweep up, a mold (Founding), to form the
sand into a mold by a templet, instead of compressing it
around the pattern.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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