swab
- noun
- /swɑb/
- We'll need a DNA swab.
- throat swab
- nasal swab
- cotton swab
They've done the DNA swabs of the, of the, of the wounds.
- They've done the DNA swabs of the, of the, of the wounds.
- This is a tiny painting, and so I need tiny swabs.
- We never had no Q-tips nigger, just cotton swabs.
Examples
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We pulled a D.N.A. swab from his fingernails.
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For the test, they collected a cheek cell sample with a cotton swab.
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What I do is that I take cotton swab just like that.
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One quick DNA swab and he gets it all.
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And we have a cotton swab and look, all the matches are in here.
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We're gonna take a swab and run a test for strep.
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We've got blood samples and a DNA swab on their way to the lab.
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Throat and nasal swab specimens were taken 3 days after the onset of illness.
Academic text (2012) -
Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab specimens were taken from each participant.
Academic text (2012) -
In each paper cup, we placed a cotton swab soaked in Fierce Melon-flavored Gatorade.
Academic text (2006)
Synonyms
A small piece of soft material used for cleaning skin or surfaces
A small soft disposable cloth made slightly wet to clean skin or surfaces
A small clean stick used to wipe a body part to collect a sample
A piece of cloth for cleaning grease, oil, or dirt in workshops
Compounds
How Absorbent
Surface Forms
Etymology
Swab comes from the same old word swabbe that meant 'mop' or 'sponge', so a medical swab is like a tiny mop on a stick used to clean a wound or take a sample.