swab
swab Lexical Profile
swab Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small piece of soft material, such as cotton, attached to the end of a stick or wire, used for cleaning, applying medication, or taking biological specimens.
"The nurse used a sterile cotton swab to clean the wound before applying the bandage."
A specimen of bodily fluid or cellular material taken with a soft applicator for medical testing or diagnostic examination.
"The laboratory rushed the nasal swab to check for the presence of the virus."
A large mop or absorbent pad used for cleaning floors, especially the decks of a ship.
"The sailor grabbed a heavy swab and began scrubbing the wooden deck to remove the sea salt."
• verb
To collect a biological specimen from a person or surface using a specialized soft applicator.
"The technician will swab your throat to test for a bacterial infection."
To clean, wipe, or absorb something using a mop or a small pad of soft material.
"He was ordered to swab the deck until it gleamed."
• Rhymes for swab
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 17th century: from Dutch 'zwabber', denoting a sailor who cleans the decks, from 'zwabberen' meaning 'to splash or trail in water'. Originally referring to a mop used on ship decks, the term later evolved to describe small medical or cleaning pads.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.