DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Sweep v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swept p. pr. & vb. n. 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. --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 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·ing, a. 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. -- Sweep*ing*ly, adv. -Sweep*ing*ness, n.
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sweeping
adj 1: taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often
used in combination; "a sweeping glance"; "a
wide-sweeping view of the river"
2: ignoring distinctions; "sweeping generalizations";
"wholesale destruction" [syn: wholesale]
3: having broad range or effect; "had extensive press
coverage"; "far-reaching changes in the social structure";
"sweeping reforms" [syn: extensive, far-reaching]
n : the act of cleaning with a broom