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verb Sweep v. t. (past & past part. swept; pres. part. 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.(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 a mold or To sweep up a mold (Founding), to form the sand into a mold by a templet, instead of compressing it around the pattern.
Sweep v. i. (past & past part. swept; pres. part. sweeping) 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.
adjective Sweeping adj. Cleaning off surfaces, or cleaning away dust, dirt, or litter, as a broom does; moving with swiftness and force; carrying everything before it; including in its scope many persons or things; as, a sweeping flood; a sweeping majority; a sweeping accusation.
Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48
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