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to swab

to swab

22 4.0
To clean a surface or put liquid on it using a cotton stick
  • verb
  • /swɑb/
translation icon : limpiar con un hisopo
  • You should swab the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection.
  • swab the deck
  • swab the floor
  • swab your cheek

When I had long nails I'd always dip AQ tip in alcohol and swab underneath them.

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Examples

  • Press the flat head firmly against your gum and swab it along your upper gum ones and your lower gum one.

  • Adam is attempting to swab the abrasion on Eve's knee through the tear in her old sweat pants.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • You know, you should swab that with alcohol.

  • And swab it with this, eh?

  • Look here, I'll swab this time.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • When you are at risk of infections, you may want to consistently swab before the injection to prevent disease.

    Blog text (18)
  • Primary care physicians must learn to swab ears and perform tragal pumping.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The prince swore mildly and seized the nearest cloth to swab the blood beading the length of the scratch.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Now first, I want you to clean out the head and the bilge and the storage compartments, and then I want you to swab down the decks, box up the hatches, and when you're through with that, I want all these fittings polished on deck.

  • Before applying paint, make sure to swab the surface to remove any dust.

Synonyms

to mop
vsto swab
37 1.0

To clean a floor with a long handle and wet cloth

is for focused small-area cleaning with a handheld absorbent tip
to wipe away
vsto swab
28 2.0

To remove something from a surface by moving a cloth over it, like tears or dirt

uses a small tool to clean or apply liquid rather than broad rubbing actions
to dab
vsto swab
11 2.8

To touch or apply something lightly and quickly with your hand

is used for careful tool-based cleaning rather than quick light touches
to wipe up
vsto swab
8 1.8

To clean a surface using a cloth or towel to remove a spill

does precise cleaning or applies liquid using a small absorbent tool
to mop up
vsto swab
5 2.6

To remove liquid or dirt from a floor with a cloth

focuses on small targeted cleaning with a handheld absorbent tip
to blot
vsto swab
4 4.1

To remove liquid by pressing a soft cloth or paper against a surface

cleans or applies liquid instead of mainly drying or removing it
to sponge
vsto swab
4 2.1

To clean up liquid by using a soft thing that soaks it up

uses a small absorbent tip for more precise cleaning or applying
to skim off
vsto swab
1 3.7

Take oil or fat from the top of a liquid using a spoon

cleans solid surfaces with an absorbent tool rather than removing surface film
to skim
vsto swab
1 3.4

Take a thin layer off the top of a liquid

is used on solid surfaces with an absorbent tip rather than liquid surface removal
to swob
vsto swab
  • Archaic
9.9

To clean a floor with a mop

is the same meaning but is an alternative form

Compounds

swab jockey
  • Slang
1 9.9

A person who collects samples and does simple routine tasks in a lab

How Thorough

to scour
15 4.8
to scrub
55 1.0
to swab
22 4.0
to wipe
531 1.0
dab
8 2.0

Surface Forms

swab infinitive
swabbed past
swabbed past participle
swabbing present participle
swabs third person singular

Etymology

Swab probably comes from an old Dutch word swabbe meaning 'mop' or 'sponge'; sailors used a swab to clean their decks, so the verb swab came to mean 'to wipe or clean' a surface.