Swab

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·noun An Epaulet.

II. Swab ·noun A cod, or pod, as of beans or pease.

III. Swab ·noun To clean with a mop or swab; to wipe when very wet, as after washing; as, to swab the desk of a ship.

IV. Swab ·noun A kind of mop for cleaning floors, the desks of vessels, ·etc., ·esp. one made of rope-yarns or threads.

V. Swab ·noun A sponge, or other suitable substance, attached to a long rod or handle, for cleaning the bore of a firearm.

VI. Swab ·noun 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.

Related Words

  • swab

    A sort of long mop, formed of rope-yarns of old junk, used for cleaning and drying the decks and cab...

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  • fire-swab

    The bunch of rope-yarns sometimes secured to the tompion, saturated with water to cool the gun in ac...

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  • swab-rope

    A line bent to the eye of a swab for dipping it overboard in washing it. ...

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  • swab-washer

    The principal swab-washer, or captain of the head, in large ships. ...

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  • swab-wringers

    People appointed to wash the swabs and wring them out, ready for use. ...

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