| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024swab or swob /swɑb/USA pronunciation n., v., swabbed, swab•bing. n. [countable] - a large mop used on ships.
- a bit of cotton, sponge, or the like, often fixed to a stick, for applying medicine, etc.
v. [~ + object] - to clean with or as if with a swab:to swab the ship's deck.
- to take up or apply (moisture, etc.) with or as if with a swab on (a wound):to swab antiseptic on the wound.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024swab (swob),USA pronunciation n., v., swabbed, swab•bing. n. - a large mop used on shipboard for cleaning decks, living quarters, etc.
- 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.
- the material collected with a swab as a specimen for microscopic study.
- a brush or wad of absorbent material for cleaning the bore of a firearm.
- Slang Termsa sailor;
swabby. - Slang Termsa clumsy fellow.
v.t. - to clean with or as if with a swab:to swab the decks.
- to take up or apply, as moisture, with or as if with a swab:to swab soapy water from the decks.
- to pass over a surface:to swab a mop over the decks.
Also, swob. - back formation from swabber 1645–55
- Swabia.
- Swabian.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: swab /swɒb/ n - 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
- a mop for cleaning floors, decks, etc
- a brush used to clean a firearm's bore
- slang an uncouth or worthless fellow
vb (swabs, swabbing, swabbed)- (transitive) to clean or medicate with or as if with a swab
- (transitive) followed by up: to take up with a swab
Etymology: 16th Century: probably from Middle Dutch swabbe mop; related to Norwegian svabba to splash, Dutch zwabberen to mop, German schwappen to slop over |