Looking for the meaning of the word SWABS in English for both noun and verb forms from the Oxford Dictionary? Below, you can explore all possible meanings and definitions of SWABS with sentence examples. You can also use the “AUDIO PRONUNCIATION” track to check the correct pronunciation in British English.
Word: Swab
Speech Type: Noun
mid 17th century (in the sense ‘mop for cleaning the decks’): back-formation from swabber ‘sailor detailed to swab decks’, from early modern Dutch zwabber, from a Germanic base meaning ‘splash’ or ‘sway’
swɒb
an absorbent pad or piece of material, often on a stick or rod, used in surgery and medicine for cleaning wounds and skin, applying medication, or taking specimens.
Short Definition:absorbent pad or piece of material used in surgery and medicine for cleaning wounds
a mop or other absorbent device for cleaning or mopping up a floor or other surface.
Short Definition:mop or other absorbent device for cleaning or mopping up floor or other surface
a contemptible person
Short Definition:contemptible person
Examples:- ‘Avast, ye swabs,’ she shouted
Word: Swab
Speech Type: Verb
swɒb
take a specimen of tissue or secretions from (a person or part of the body) for examination
Short Definition:stake specimen of secretion for examination
Examples:- we need to be swabbing people with any hint of illness
- locals have flocked in today in order to get swabbed for the virus
- police swabbed his cheek for DNA and questioned him for hours on Thursday
clean (a floor or other surface) with a mop or other absorbent device
Short Definition:clean surface with mop
Examples:- the crew were swabbing down the decks
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