sweep

Definition

To clean (a surface) by means of a stroking motion of a broom or brush.

Etymology

From Middle English swepen, from Proto-West Germanic *swaipijan (unattested in Old English), from Proto-Germanic *swaipijaną. Cognate with Early Modern West Frisian swiepe (“whip, cleanse, sweep”), from Old Frisian swēpa, suepa (“sweep”). More distantly related to Old Norse sveipa (whence Swedish svepa). See also swoop.

Example Sentences

• "to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney"
• "I will sweep it with the besom of destruction."
• "The wind sweeps across the plain."