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.
Sweep (?), v. i. 1. To clean rooms, yards, etc., or to clear away dust,
dirt, litter, etc., with a broom, brush, or the like.
2. To brush swiftly over the surface of anything; to pass with switness
and force, as if brushing the surface of anything; to move in a stately
manner; as, the wind sweeps across the plain; a woman sweeps through a
drawing- room.
3. To pass over anything comprehensively; to range through with
rapidity; as, his eye sweeps through space.
Sweep, n. 1. The act of sweeping.