swab Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun 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. noun cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material fastened to a handle; for cleaning floors
    swob; mop.
  3. verb wash with a swab or a mop
    swob.
    • swab the ship's decks
  4. verb apply (usually a liquid) to a surface
    swob; dab.
    • dab the wall with paint

WordNet

Swab transitive verb
Etymology
See Swabber, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Swabbed ; present participle & verbal noun Swabbing
Definitions
  1. To clean with a mop or swab; to wipe when very wet, as after washing; as, to swab the desk of a ship. Spelt also swob.
Swab noun
Etymology
Written also swob.
Definitions
  1. A kind of mop for cleaning floors, the desks of vessels, etc., esp. one made of rope-yarns or threads.
  2. 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.
  3. (Naut.) An epaulet. Sailor's Slang Marryat.
  4. A cod, or pod, as of beans or pease. Obs. Bailey.
  5. A sponge, or other suitable substance, attached to a long rod or handle, for cleaning the bore of a firearm.

Webster 1913