Definitions of Swab [ɒb]

Translate Swab to

Definition of 'Swab'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n.) swab
a large mop used on shipboard for cleaning decks, living quarters, etc.

2.  swab
a bit of cotton, sponge, or the like, often fixed to a stick, for applying medicaments, cleansing the mouth, etc.

3.  swab
material collected with a swab as a specimen.

4.  swab
a wad of absorbent material for cleaning the bore of a firearm.

5.  swab
Slang. a sailor; swabby.

6.  swab
Slang. a clumsy oaf.

7. (v.t.) swab
to clean with or as if with a swab.

8.  swab
to take up or apply (moisture, etc.) with or as if with a swab.

Etymology: (1645–55; <swabber)

Definition of 'Swab'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (noun) swab
implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a specimen of a secretion

2. (verb) swab, swob, mop
cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material fastened to a handle; for cleaning floors

3. (verb) swab, swob
wash with a swab or a mop
"swab the ship's decks"

4. (verb) dab, swab, swob
apply (usually a liquid) to a surface
"dab the wall with paint"

Definition of 'Swab'

Webster Dictionary

1. (noun) Swab
to clean with a mop or swab; to wipe when very wet, as after washing; as, to swab the desk of a ship

2. (noun) Swab
a kind of mop for cleaning floors, the desks of vessels, etc., esp. one made of rope-yarns or threads

3. (noun) Swab
a bit of sponge, cloth, or the like, fastened to a handle, for cleansing the mouth of a sick person, applying medicaments to deep-seated parts, etc

4. (noun) Swab
an epaulet

5. (noun) Swab
a cod, or pod, as of beans or pease

6. (noun) Swab
a sponge, or other suitable substance, attached to a long rod or handle, for cleaning the bore of a firearm

Definitions of 'Swab'

The New Hacker's Dictionary

1. Swab
[From the mnemonic for the PDP-11 ‘SWAp Byte’ instruction, as immortalized in the dd(1) option conv=swab (see dd)]

1. vt. To solve the NUXI problem by swapping bytes in a file

2. n. The program in V7 Unix used to perform this action, or anything functionally equivalent to it. See also big-endian, little-endian, middle-endian, bytesexual.

'Swab' - Nearby Entries
svizzera svr swab swabbing swaddle swaddling bands swaddling clothes

Citation: Add this definition to your bibliography

MLA Chicago APA

"Swab." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2012. 13 February. 2012. http://www.definitions.net/definition/Swab

Alternative search options for 'Swab'

Search for Synonyms for 'Swab'

Quotes containing the term 'Swab'

Search for Phrases containing the term 'Swab'

Search for Abbreviations containing the term 'Swab'

Search for 'Swab' on

What rhymes with 'Swab'?

NEW:Search for Song lyrics containing the word 'Swab'