Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.
                                                  --Isa. xiv.
                                                  23.

   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.

            The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies. --Isa.
                                                  xxviii. 17.

            I have already swept the stakes.      --Dryden.

   3. To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.

            Their long descending train, With rubies edged and
            sapphires, swept the plain.           --Dryden.

   4. To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence,
      to carry in a stately or proud fashion.

            And like a peacock sweep along his tail. --Shak.

   5. To strike with a long stroke.

            Wake into voice each silent string, And sweep the
            sounding lyre.                        --Pope.

   6. (Naut.) To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the
      bottom of a river with a net.

   7. To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an
      instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a
      telescope.

   {To sweep, or sweep up}, {a mold} (Founding), to form the
      sand into a mold by a templet, instead of compressing it
      around the pattern.