swab

  1. Noun.  (medicine) a small piece of soft, absorbent material, such as gauze, used to clean wounds, apply medicine, or take samples of body fluids. Often attached to a stick or wire to aid access.
  2. Noun.  A sample taken with a swab (1).
  3. Noun.  A piece of material used for cleaning or sampling other items like musical instruments or guns.
  4. Noun.  A mop, especially on a ship.
  5. Noun.  (slang) A sailor; see '''swabby'''.
  6. Verb.  (transitive) To use a swab on something, or clean something with a swab.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.