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Definitions for Swab

[1] a large mop used on shipboard for cleaning decks, living quarters, etc.
[2] a bit of sponge, cloth, cotton, or the like, sometimes fixed to a stick, for cleansing the mouth of a sick person or for applying medicaments, drying areas, etc.
[3] the material collected with a swab as a specimen for microscopic study.
[4] a brush or wad of absorbent material for cleaning the bore of a firearm.
[5] Slang . a sailor; swabby.
[6] Slang . a clumsy fellow.
[7] to clean with or as if with a swab: to swab the decks.
[8] to take up or apply, as moisture, with or as if with a swab: to swab soapy water from the decks.
[9] to pass over a surface: to swab a mop over the decks.
[10] Swabia.
[11] Swabian.
[12] med a small piece of cotton, gauze, etc, for use in applying medication, cleansing a wound, or obtaining a specimen of a secretion, etc the specimen so obtained
[13] a mop for cleaning floors, decks, etc
[14] a brush used to clean a firearm's bore
[15] slang an uncouth or worthless fellow
[16] (tr) to clean or medicate with or as if with a swab
[17] (tr foll by up ) to take up with a swab

Words related to Swab

daub, mop, sponge, wash, scrub, wipe

Words nearby Swab

svo language, svq, svs, sw, sw., swab, swab., swabber, swabby, swabia, swabian

Origin of Swab

First recorded in 1645–55; back formation from swabber

Other words from Swab

un·swabbed , adjective

Word origin for Swab

C16: probably from Middle Dutch swabbe mop; related to Norwegian svabba to splash, Dutch zwabberen to mop, German schwappen to slop over

Synonyms for Swab

daub, mop, scrub, sponge, wash, wipe