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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Sweep \Sweep\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Swept}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Sweeping}.] [OE. swepen; akin to AS. sw[=a]pan. See {Swoop},
v. i.]
1. To pass a broom across (a surface) so as to remove loose
dirt, dust, etc.; to brush, or rub over, with a broom for
the purpose of cleaning; as, to sweep a floor, the street,
or a chimney. Used also figuratively.
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I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.
--Isa. xiv.
23.
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2. To drive or carry along or off with a broom or a brush, or
as if with a broom; to remove by, or as if by, brushing;
as, to sweep dirt from a floor; the wind sweeps the snow
from the hills; a freshet sweeps away a dam, timber, or
rubbish; a pestilence sweeps off multitudes.
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The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies. --Isa.
xxviii. 17.
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I have already swept the stakes. --Dryden.
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3. To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
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Their long descending train,
With rubies edged and sapphires, swept the plain.
--Dryden.
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4. To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence,
to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
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And like a peacock sweep along his tail. --Shak.
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5. To strike with a long stroke.
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Wake into voice each silent string,
And sweep the sounding lyre. --Pope.
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6. (Naut.) To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the
bottom of a river with a net.
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7. To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an
instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a
telescope.
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{To sweep a mold} or {To sweep up a mold} (Founding), to form
the sand into a mold by a templet, instead of compressing
it around the pattern.
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Sweeping \Sweep"ing\, a.
Cleaning off surfaces, or cleaning away dust, dirt, or
litter, as a broom does; moving with swiftness and force;
carrying everything before it; including in its scope many
persons or things; as, a sweeping flood; a sweeping majority;
a sweeping accusation. -- {Sweep"ing*ly}, adv.
-{Sweep"ing*ness}, n.
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