catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  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.