(v. i.) 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.
(v. i.) 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.
(v. i.) To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
(v. i.) To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion;
hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
(v. i.) To strike with a long stroke.
(v. i.) To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the bottom
of a river with a net.
(v. i.) To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an
instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a telescope.
(v. i.) To clean rooms, yards, etc., or to clear away dust, dirt,
litter, etc., with a broom, brush, or the like.
(v. i.) 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.
(v. i.) To pass over anything comprehensively; to range through
with rapidity; as, his eye sweeps through space.
(n.) The act of sweeping.
(n.) The compass or range of a stroke; as, a long sweep.
(n.) The compass of any turning body or of any motion; as, the
sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye.
(n.) The compass of anything flowing or brushing; as, the flood
carried away everything within its sweep.
(n.) Violent and general destruction; as, the sweep of an
epidemic disease.
(n.) Direction and extent of any motion not rectlinear; as, the
sweep of a compass.
(n.) Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, or the
like, away from a rectlinear line.
(n.) One who sweeps; a sweeper; specifically, a chimney sweeper.
(n.) A movable templet for making molds, in loam molding.
(n.) 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.
(n.) A large oar used in small vessels, partly to propel them and
partly to steer them.
(n.) The almond furnace.
(n.) 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.
(n.) 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.
(n.) The sweeping of workshops where precious metals are worked,
containing filings, etc.
