sweep
sweep
(swēp) verb
swept (
swĕpt), sweeping, sweeps
verb
, transitive
1.
To clean or clear, as of dirt, with or as if with a broom or brush: sweep a chimney.
2.
To clear away with or as if with a broom or brush: swept snow from the steps.
3.
To clear (a path or space) with or as if with a broom.
4.
a. To search thoroughly: The counselors swept the dormitory during the fire drill. b. Electronics. To search for and remove (eavesdropping devices) from a place: swept the room for bugs.
5. To touch or brush lightly, as with a trailing garment: willow branches sweeping the ground.
6. To pass over or through a surface or medium with a continuous movement: He swept the sponge over the tile. The conductor swept her baton through the air.
7. To clear, drive, or convey with relentless force: The flood waters swept away everything in their path.
8. To wipe out at a single stroke. Often used with away: The incident in effect swept away all her dreams.
9. To remove or carry off with a swift brushing motion: swept the cards off the table; swept the child into his arms.
10. To move across or through swiftly or with great intensity: News of the lunar landing swept the country.
11. To pass quickly across, as when searching: His gaze swept the horizon.
12. To drag the bottom of (a body of water).
13. a. To win all the stages of (a game or contest): swept the World Series. b. To win overwhelmingly in: The opposition party swept the election.
verb
, intransitive
1.
To clean or clear a surface with or as if with a broom or brush.
2.
Electronics. To search for and remove eavesdropping devices.
3. To move swiftly with strong, steady force: The wind swept over the plain.
4. To move swiftly in a lofty manner, as if in a trailing robe: She swept by in silence.
5. To trail, as a long garment.
6. To extend gracefully, especially in a long curve: The hills sweep down to the sea.
7. To extend in a wide range: Searchlights swept across the sky.
noun
1.
A clearing out or removal with or as if with a broom or brush.
2.
Electronics. The act or an instance of searching for and removing eavesdropping devices, as in a room.
3. a. A wide curving motion: a sweep of the arm. b. The range or scope encompassed by sweeping: the sweep of a lantern beam. See synonyms at range.
4. A broad reach or extent: a sweep of green lawn.
5. A curve or contour: the sweep of her hair.
6. One who sweeps, especially a chimney sweep.
7. Often sweeps Sweepings.
8. a. The winning of all stages of a game or contest. b. An overwhelming victory or success.
9. Nautical. A long oar used to propel a boat.
10. A long pole attached to a pivot and used to raise or lower a bucket in a well.
11. sweeps
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Informal. Sweepstakes.
12. a. sweeps The period each fall, winter, and spring when television ratings are accrued and studied and advertising rates are reset. b. The national survey of local stations that is conducted to determine these ratings.
13. Electronics. The steady motion of an electron beam across a cathode-ray tube.
idiom.
sweep (one) off (one's) feet
To cause an immediate and strongly positive response in (a person); impress deeply.
[Middle English swepen, perhaps from swepe past tense of swopen, to sweep along. See
swoop.]
sweep
ʹer noun