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swab

noun

  1. a yarn mop, usually used wet, for cleaning decks, floors, etc.
    1. a small piece of cotton, cloth, sponge, etc. used to apply medicine to, or clean discharged matter from, the throat, mouth, etc.
    2. matter collected in this way
  2. a brush, wad of cloth, etc. on a long handle, for cleaning the barrel of a gun
  3. Slang a clumsy, loutish person
  4. Slang
    also swabbie or swabby
    1. a sailor
    2. ☆ an enlisted man in the U.S. Navy

transitive verb swabbed, swabbing

to use a swab on; clean, medicate, etc. with a swab

See swab in American Heritage Dictionary 4

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