swab

¹

[ swob ]

noun

1. a large mop used on shipboard for cleaning decks, living quarters, etc.
2. a bit of sponge, cloth, cotton, or the like, sometimes fixed to a stick, for cleansing the mouth of a sick person or for applying medicaments, drying areas, etc.
3. the material collected with a swab as a specimen for microscopic study.
4. a brush or wad of absorbent material for cleaning the bore of a firearm.
5. Slang. a sailor; swabby.
6. Slang. a clumsy fellow.

verb (used with object)

, swabbed, swab·bing.

1. to clean with or as if with a swab:

   to swab the decks.

2. to take up or apply, as moisture, with or as if with a swab:

   to swab soapy water from the decks.

3. to pass over a surface:

   to swab a mop over the decks.

Swab.

²

abbreviation for

1. Swabia.
2. Swabian.

swab

/ swɒb /

noun

1. med
   1. a small piece of cotton, gauze, etc, for use in applying medication, cleansing a wound, or obtaining a specimen of a secretion, etc
   2. the specimen so obtained
2. a mop for cleaning floors, decks, etc
3. a brush used to clean a firearm's bore
4. slang.
   an uncouth or worthless fellow

verb

1. tr to clean or medicate with or as if with a swab
2. trfoll byup to take up with a swab

Other Words From

• un·swabbed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of swab¹

First recorded in 1645–55; back formation from swabber

Word History and Origins

Origin of swab¹

C16: probably from Middle Dutch swabbe mop; related to Norwegian svabba to splash, Dutch zwabberen to mop, German schwappen to slop over

Example Sentences

"I would feel the sweat growing on my scalp - I had to swab down my head. You wouldn't want to shake it because it just would fly everywhere."

From BBC

"I would feel the sweat growing on my scalp - I had to swab down my head. You wouldn't want to shake it because it just would fly everywhere."

From BBC

London Stansted said it asked passengers to "undertake a private search to check areas thoroughly", which "may include the need to move clothing and swab a device".

From BBC

“A simple cheek swab would be sufficient, and it’s minimally invasive.”

From BBC

“A cheek swab wouldn’t allow you to reach a robust conclusion on someone’s sex and potential advantage in sport,” says Prof Williams.

From BBC

Related Words

• daub
• mop