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