SWAB (swabbed, swabbing)
Dictionary entry overview: What does swab mean?
• SWAB (noun)
The noun SWAB has 2 senses:
1. 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. cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material fastened to a handle; for cleaning floors
Familiarity information: SWAB used as a noun is rare.
• SWAB (verb)
The verb SWAB has 2 senses:
1. wash with a swab or a mop
2. apply (usually a liquid) to a surface
Familiarity information: SWAB used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• SWAB (noun)
Meaning:
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
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("swab" is a kind of...):
implement (instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end)
Meaning:
Cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material fastened to a handle; for cleaning floors
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
mop; swob; swab
Hypernyms ("swab" is a kind of...):
cleaning implement (any of a large class of implements used for cleaning)
Meronyms (parts of "swab"):
mop handle (the handle of a mop)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "swab"):
dry mop; dust mop; dustmop (a dry swab for dusting floors)
sponge mop (a wet mop with a sponge as the absorbent)
• SWAB (verb)
Meaning:
Wash with a swab or a mop
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
swab; swob
Context example:
swab the ship's decks
Hypernyms (to "swab" is one way to...):
mop; mop up; wipe up (to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Apply (usually a liquid) to a surface
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
dab; swab; swob
Context example:
dab the wall with paint
Hypernyms (to "swab" is one way to...):
apply; put on (apply to a surface)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something with something
Sentence example:
They swab the bread with melted butter
