Swedish
(Swed"ish), n. The language of Swedes.
Sweeny
(Swee"ny) n. (Far.) An atrophy of the muscles of the shoulder in horses; also, atrophy of any
muscle in horses. [Written also swinney.]
Sweep
(Sweep) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swept ; p. pr. & vb. n. Sweeping.] [OE. swepen; akin to AS.
swapan. 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.
Sweep
(Sweep) v. i.
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.
