sw -abbr
- switch
SW -abbr
- shortwave
- southwest
swab ['swäb] -n
- mop
- a yarn mop
- a wad of absorbent material usu. wound around one end of a small stick and used esp. for applying medication or for removing material from an area
- a specimen taken with a swab
- a sponge or cloth patch attached to a long handle and used to clean the bore of a firearm
- a useless or contemptible person
- sailor, gob
- to clean with or as if with a swab
- to apply medication to with a swab
- swabbed the wound with iodine
swab·ber ['swä-bər] -n
- one that swabs
- swab
swab·bie ['swä-bē] -n
- swab
swad·dle ['swä-dᵊl] -vt
- to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes
- envelop, swathe
- legs swaddled in bandages
- restrain, restrict
- marriage... swaddled him in a domesticity he came to loathe -- Nina Auerbach
swaddling clothes -n pl
- narrow strips of cloth wrapped around an infant to restrict movement
- limitations or restrictions imposed on the immature or inexperienced
swag ['swag] -vb
- sway, lurch
- sag, droop
- to adorn with swags
- to arrange (as drapery) in swags
- sway
- something (as a decoration) hanging in a curve between two points : festoon
- a suspended cluster (as of evergreen branches)
- goods acquired by unlawful means : loot
- spoils, profits
- a depression in the earth
- a pack of personal belongings
swage ['swāj, 'swej] -n
- a tool used by metalworkers for shaping their work by holding it on the work or the work on it and striking with a hammer or sledge
- to shape by or as if by means of a swage
swage block -n
- a perforated cast-iron or steel block with grooved sides that is used in heading bolts and swaging bars by hand
swag·ger ['swa-gər] -vb, n, adv
- to conduct oneself in an arrogant or superciliously pompous manner
- to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence
- boast, brag
- to force by argument or threat : bully
swagger -n
- an act or instance of swaggering
- arrogant or conceitedly self-assured behavior
- ostentatious display or bravado
- a self-confident outlook : cockiness
- marked by elegance or showiness : posh
swagger stick -n
- a short light stick usu. covered with leather and tipped with metal at each end and intended for carrying in the hand (as by military officers)
swag·gie ['swa-gē] -n
- swagman
swag·man ['swag-mən] -n
- drifter
- one who carries a swag when traveling
Swa·hi·li [swä-'hē-lē] -n
- a member of a Bantu-speaking people of Zanzibar and the adjacent coast
- a Bantu language that is a trade and governmental language over much of East Africa and in the Congo region
swain ['swān] -n, adj
- rustic, peasant
- shepherd
- a male admirer or suitor
Swain·son's hawk ['swān(t)-sənz-] -n
- a buteo ( Buteo swainsonii) chiefly of western No. America and So. America having pointed wings and usu. a dark breast
SWAK -abbr
- sealed with a kiss
swale ['swāl] -n
- a low-lying or depressed and often wet stretch of land
- a shallow depression on a golf fairway or green
swal·low ['swä-(,)lō] -n
- any of numerous small widely distributed oscine birds (family Hirundinidae, the swallow family) that have a short bill, long pointed wings, and often a deeply forked tail and that feed on insects caught on the wing
- any of several birds that superficially resemble swallows
swallow ['swä-lō-ə-bəl] -vb, adj, n
- to take through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach
- to envelop or take in as if by swallowing : absorb
- swallow the financial loss
- watch night swallow the valley
- to accept without question, protest, or resentment
- take back, retract
- to keep from expressing or showing : repress
- to utter (as words) indistinctly
- to receive something into the body through the mouth and esophagus
- to perform the action characteristic of swallowing something esp. under emotional stress
- the passage connecting the mouth to the stomach
- a capacity for swallowing
- an act of swallowing
- an amount that can be swallowed at one time
swal·low·tail ['swä-lō-,tāl, -lə-] -n, adj
- a deeply forked and tapering tail (as of a swallow)
- tailcoat
- any of various usu. large brightly marked butterflies (family Papilionidae, esp. genus Papilio) with each hind wing typically having an elongated process
swam ['swim] -vb, n
(variant of swim)
- to propel oneself in water by natural means (as movements of the limbs, fins, or tail)
- to play in the water (as at a beach or swimming pool)
- to move with a motion like that of swimming : glide
- a cloud swam slowly across the moon
- to float on a liquid : not sink
- to surmount difficulties : not go under
- sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish -- Daniel Webster
- to become immersed in or flooded with or as if with a liquid
- potatoes swimming in gravy
- to have a floating or reeling appearance or sensation
- to cross by propelling oneself through water
- to execute in swimming
- to cause to swim or float
- a smooth gliding motion
- an act or period of swimming
- a temporary dizziness or unconsciousness
- an area frequented by fish
- the main current of activity
- of, relating to, or used in or for swimming
swa·mi ['swä-mē] -n
- a Hindu ascetic or religious teacher
- a senior member of a religious order used as a title
- one that resembles or emulates a swami : pundit, seer
swamp ['swämp, 'swȯmp] -n, adj
- a wetland often partially or intermittently covered with water
- one dominated by woody vegetation
- a tract of swamp
- a difficult or troublesome situation or subject
- to fill with or as if with water : inundate, submerge
- to overwhelm numerically or by an excess of something : flood
- to open by removing underbrush and debris
- to become submerged
swamp buggy -n
- a vehicle designed to travel over swampy terrain
- a four-wheel motor vehicle with oversize tires
swamp·er ['swäm-pər, 'swȯm-] -n
- an inhabitant of swamps or lowlands
- one familiar with swampy terrain
- a general assistant : handyman, helper
swamp·land ['swämp-,land, 'swȯmp-] -n
- swamp
swampy ['swäm-pē, 'swȯm-] -adj, n
- consisting of, suggestive of, or resembling swamp : marshy
swan ['swän] -n
- any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked mostly pure white aquatic birds (family Anatidae, esp. genus Cygnus) that have webbed feet and are related to but larger than the geese
- one that resembles or is likened to a swan
- the constellation Cygnus
- to wander aimlessly or idly : dally
- declare, swear
swan boat -n
- a small paddleboat usu. for children or sightseers that is a large model of a swan
swan dive -n
- a front dive executed with the head back, back arched, and arms spread sideways and then brought together above the head to form a straight line with the body as the diver enters the water
swank -vi
- show off, swagger
- boast
- full of life or energy : active
- characterized by showy display : ostentatious
- fashionably elegant : smart
- arrogance or ostentation of dress or manner : pretentiousness, swagger
- elegance, fashionableness
swan·nery ['swä-nə-rē, 'swän-rē] -n
- a place where swans are bred or kept
swans·down ['swänz-,dau̇n] -n
- the soft downy feathers of the swan often used as trimming on articles of dress
- a heavy cotton flannel that has a thick nap on the face and is made with sateen weave
swan·skin ['swän-,skin] -n
- the skin of a swan with the down or feathers on it
- fabric resembling flannel and having a soft nap or surface
swan song -n
- a song of great sweetness said to be sung by a dying swan
- a farewell appearance or final act or pronouncement
swap ['swäp] -vb, n
- to give in trade : barter
- exchange
- to take turns in telling
- to make an exchange
- an act, instance, or process of exchanging one thing for another
swap meet -n
- a gathering for the sale or barter of usu. secondhand objects
swa·raj [swə-'räj] -n
- national or local self-government in India
sward ['swȯrd] -n, adj
- a portion of ground covered with grass
- the grassy surface of land
swarf ['swȯrf] -n
- material (as metallic particles and abrasive fragments) removed by a cutting or grinding tool
swarm ['swȯrm] -n
- a great number of honeybees emigrating together from a hive in company with a queen to start a new colony elsewhere
- a colony of honeybees settled in a hive
- a large number of animate or inanimate things massed together and usu. in motion : throng
- a number of similar geological features or phenomena close together in space or time
- to form and depart from a hive in a swarm
- to move or assemble in a crowd : throng
- to hover about in the manner of a bee in a swarm
- to contain a swarm : teem
- to fill with a swarm
- to beset or surround in a swarm
- players swarm ing the quarterback
- to climb with the hands and feet
- shin
- to climb up : mount
swarm spore -n
- zoospore
swart ['swȯrt] -adj, n
- swarthy
- producing a swarthy complexion
- baneful, malignant
swar·thy ['swȯr-thē, -thē] -adj, n
- of a dark color, complexion, or cast
swash ['swäsh, 'swȯsh] -vb
- bluster, swagger
- to make violent noisy movements
- to move with a splashing sound
- to cause to splash
- swagger
- a narrow channel of water lying within a sandbank or between a sandbank and the shore
- a dashing of water against or on something
- the rush of water up a beach from a breaking wave
- an extended flourish on a printed character
- having one or more swashes
swash·buck·le ['swäsh-,bə-kəl, 'swȯsh-] -vi
- to act the part of a swashbuckler
swash·buck·ler [-,bə-klər] -n
- a swaggering or daring soldier or adventurer
- a novel or drama dealing with a swashbuckler
swash·buck·ling [-,bə-k(ə-)liŋ] -adj
- acting in the manner of a swashbuckler
- characteristic of, marked by, or done by swashbucklers
swash·er ['swä-shər, 'swȯ-] -n
- swashbuckler
swas·ti·ka ['swäs-ti-kə also swä-'stē-] -n
- a symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same rotary direction
- a swastika used as a symbol of anti-Semitism or of Nazism
swat ['swät] -vt
- to hit with a sharp slapping blow usu. with an instrument (as a bat or flyswatter)
- swatted the ball for a home run
- a powerful or crushing blow
- a long hit in baseball
- home run
SWAT ['swät] -n
- a police or military unit specially trained and equipped to handle unusually hazardous situations or missions
swatch ['swäch] -n
- a sample piece (as of fabric) or a collection of samples
- a characteristic specimen
- patch
- a small collection
- swath
swath ['swäth, 'swȯth] -n
- a row of cut grain or grass left by a scythe or mowing machine
- the sweep of a scythe or a machine in mowing or the path cut in one course
- a long broad strip or belt
- a stroke of or as if of a scythe
- a space devastated as if by a scythe
swathe ['swäth, 'swȯth, 'swāth] -n
- a band used in swathing
- an enveloping medium
- to bind, wrap, or swaddle with or as if with a bandage
- envelop
- a mountain swathed by clouds
swath·er ['swä-thər, -thər] -n
- a harvesting machine that cuts and windrows grain and seed crops
- a mower attachment that windrows the swath
swathing clothes -n pl
- swaddling clothes
swats ['swäts] -n pl
- drink
- new ale
swat·ter ['swä-tər] -n
- one that swats
- flyswatter
sway ['swā] -n
- the action or an instance of swaying or of being swayed : an oscillating, fluctuating, or sweeping motion
- an inclination or deflection caused by or as if by swaying
- a controlling influence
- sovereign power : dominion
- the ability to exercise influence or authority : dominance
- to swing slowly and rhythmically back and forth from a base or pivot
- to move gently from an upright to a leaning position
- to hold sway : act as ruler or governor
- to fluctuate or veer between one point, position, or opinion and another
- to cause to sway : set to swinging, rocking, or oscillating
- to cause to bend downward to one side
- to cause to turn aside : deflect, divert
- wield
- govern, rule
- to cause to vacillate
- to exert a guiding or controlling influence on
- to hoist in place
sway·backed ['swā-,bakt] -adj, n
- having an abnormally hollow or sagging back
sway bar -n
- a bar that torsionally couples the right and left front-wheel suspensions of an automobile to reduce roll and sway
Swa·zi ['swä-zē] -n
- a member of a Bantu people of southeastern Africa
- siswati
swear ['swer] -vb, n
- to utter or take solemnly (an oath)
- to assert as true or promise under oath
- swore to uphold the Constitution
- to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly
- swore he'd study harder next time
- to put to an oath : administer an oath to
- to bind by an oath
- to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath
- to bring into a specified state by swearing
- to take an oath
- to use profane or obscene language : curse
- oath, swearword
swear in -vt
- to induct into office by administration of an oath
swear out -vt
- to procure (a warrant for arrest) by making a sworn accusation
swear·word ['swer-,wərd] -n
- a profane or obscene oath or word
sweat ['swet] -vb
- to excrete moisture in visible quantities through the openings of the sweat glands : perspire
- to labor or exert oneself so as to cause perspiration
- to emit or exude moisture
- cheese sweat s in ripening
- to gather surface moisture in beads as a result of condensation
- ferment
- putrefy
- to undergo anxiety or mental or emotional distress
- sweat through final exams
- to become exuded through pores or a porous surface : ooze
- to emit or seem to emit from pores : exude
- to manipulate or produce by hard work or drudgery
- to get rid of or lose (weight) by or as if by sweating or being sweated
- to make wet with perspiration
- to cause to excrete moisture from the skin
- to drive hard : overwork
- to exact work from at low wages and under unfair or unhealthful conditions
- to give the third degree to
- to cause to exude or lose moisture
- to subject (as tobacco leaves) to fermentation
- to extract something valuable from by unfair or dishonest means : fleece
- to remove particles of metal from (a coin) by abrasion
- to heat (as solder) so as to melt and cause to run esp. between surfaces to unite them
- to unite by such means
- to heat so as to extract an easily fusible constituent
- to saute in a covered vessel until natural juices are exuded
- to worry about
- doesn't sweat the small stuff -- Barry McDermott
- hard work : drudgery
- the fluid excreted from the sweat glands of the skin : perspiration
- moisture issuing from or gathering in drops on a surface
- the condition of one sweating or sweated
- a spell of sweating
- a state of anxiety or impatience
- sweat suit
- sweatpants
sweat·band ['swet-,band] -n
- a usu. leather band lining the inner edge of a hat or cap to prevent sweat damage
- a band of material worn around the head or wrist to absorb sweat
sweat bee -n
- any of various small black or brownish bees (family Halictidae) that are attracted to perspiration
sweat·box [-,bäks] -n
- a place in which one is made to sweat
- a narrow box or cell in which a prisoner is placed for punishment
- a device for sweating something (as hides in tanning or dried figs)
sweat·ed ['swe-təd] -adj
- of, subjected to, or produced under sweatshop conditions
sweat equity -n
- equity in a property resulting from labor invested in improvements that increase its value
- the labor so invested
sweat·er ['swe-tər] -n
- one that sweats or causes sweating
- a knitted or crocheted jacket or pullover
- a heavy jersey worn in ice hockey
sweat·er·dress [-,dres] -n
- a knitted or crocheted dress
sweater girl -n
- a woman with a shapely bust
sweat·ervest ['swe-tər-,vest] -n
- a sleeveless pullover or buttoned sweater
sweat gland -n
- a simple tubular gland of the skin that excretes perspiration, is widely distributed in nearly all parts of the human skin, and consists typically of an epithelial tube extending spirally from a minute pore on the surface of the skin into the dermis or subcutaneous tissues where it ends in a convoluted tuft
sweat lodge -n
- a hut, lodge, or cavern heated by steam from water poured on hot stones and used esp. by American Indians for ritual or therapeutic sweating
sweat out -vt
- to work one's way painfully through or to
- to endure or wait through the course of
sweat·pants ['swet-,pan(t)s] -n pl
- pants having a drawstring or elastic waist and usu. elastic cuffs at the ankle that are worn esp. for exercise
sweat·shirt [-,shərt] -n
- a loose collarless pullover or jacket usu. of heavy cotton jersey
sweat·shop [-,shäp] -n
- a shop or factory in which employees work for long hours at low wages and under unhealthy conditions
sweat suit -n
- a suit worn usu. for exercise that consists of a sweatshirt and sweatpants
sweat test -n
- a test for cystic fibrosis that involves measuring the subject's sweat for abnormally high sodium chloride content
sweaty ['swe-tē] -adj, adv, n
- causing sweat
- wet or stained with or smelling of sweat
swede ['swēd] -n
- a native or inhabitant of Sweden
- a person of Swedish descent
- rutabaga
Swe·den·bor·gian [,swē-dᵊn-'bȯr-j(ē-)ən, -'bȯr-gē-ən] -adj, n
- of or relating to the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg or the Church of the New Jerusalem based on his teachings
Swed·ish ['swē-dish] -n, adj
- the North Germanic language spoken in Sweden and a part of Finland
- the people of Sweden
Swedish massage -n
- massage involving a system of active and passive exercise of muscles and joints
sweep ['swēp] -vb
- to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush
- swept the crumbs from the table
- to destroy completely : wipe out usu. used with away
- everything she cherished, might be swept away overnight -- Louis Bromfield
- to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action
- swept the books off the desk
- to remove from sight or consideration
- the problem can't be swept under the rug
- to drive or carry along with irresistible force
- a wave of protest that swept the opposition into office
- to clean with or as if with a broom or brush
- to clear by repeated and forcible action
- to move across or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly
- fire swept the business district -- Amer. Guide Series: Md.
- to win an overwhelming victory in or on
- to win all the games or contests of
- to touch in passing with a swift continuous movement
- to trace or describe the locus or extent of (as a line, circle, or angle)
- to cover the entire range of
- his eyes swept the horizon
- to clean a surface with or as if with a broom
- to move swiftly, forcefully, or devastatingly
- the wind swept through the treetops
- to go with stately or sweeping movements
- proudly swept into the room
- to move or extend in a wide curve or range
- : something that sweeps or works with a sweeping motion: as
- a long pole or timber pivoted on a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well
- a triangular cultivator blade that cuts off weeds under the soil surface
- a windmill sail
- an instance of sweeping
- a clearing out or away with or as if with a broom
- the removal from the table in one play in casino of all the cards by pairing or combining
- an overwhelming victory
- a winning of all the contests or prizes in a competition
- a wide-ranging search of an area (as by police)
- a movement of great range and force
- a curving or circular course or line
- the compass of a sweeping movement : scope
- a broad unbroken area or extent
- an end run in football in which one or more linemen pull back and run interference for the ballcarrier
- chimney sweep
- sweepstakes
- obliquity with respect to a reference line
- sweep of an airplane wing
- sweepback
- a television ratings period during which surveys are taken to determine advertising rates
sweep·back ['swēp-,bak] -n
- the backward slant of an airplane wing in which the outer portion of the wing is downstream from the inner portion
sweep·er ['swē-pər] -n
- one that sweeps
- a lone back in soccer who plays between the line of the defenders and the goal
sweep hand -n
- sweep-second hand
sweeping -n
- the act or action of one that sweeps
- gave the room a good sweeping
- things collected by sweeping : refuse
- moving or extending in a wide curve or over a wide area
- having a curving line or form
- extensive
- marked by wholesale and indiscriminate inclusion
sweepsec·ond hand ['swēp-,se-kənd-, -kənt-] -n
- a hand marking seconds on a timepiece mounted concentrically with the other hands and read from the same dial as the minute hand
sweep·stakes [-,stāks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a race or contest in which the entire prize may be awarded to the winner
- stakes race
- contest, competition
- any of various lotteries
sweepy ['swē-pē] -adj
- sweeping in motion, line, or force
sweet ['swēt] -adj, adv, n
- pleasing to the taste
- being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is typically induced by disaccharides and is mediated esp. by receptors in taste buds at the front of the tongue
- containing a sweetening ingredient : not dry
- retaining a portion of natural sugar
- pleasing to the mind or feelings : agreeable, gratifying often used as a generalized term of approval
- marked by gentle good humor or kindliness
- fragrant
- delicately pleasing to the ear or eye
- played in a straightforward melodic style
- saccharine, cloying
- very good or appealing
- much loved : dear
- not sour, rancid, decaying, or stale : wholesome
- not salt or salted : fresh
- free from excessive acidity used esp. of soil
- free from noxious gases and odors
- free from excess of acid, sulfur, or corrosive salts
- skillful, proficient
- used as an intensive
- in a sweet manner
- : something that is sweet to the taste: as
- a food (as a candy or preserve) having a high sugar content
- dessert
- hard candy
- a sweet taste sensation
- a pleasant or gratifying experience, possession, or state
- darling, sweetheart
- fragrance
- things having a sweet smell
sweet alyssum -n
- a widely cultivated European herb ( Lobularia maritima) of the mustard family having narrow leaves and clusters of small fragrant usu. white or pink flowers
sweetandsour [,swē-tᵊn-'sau̇(-ə)r] -adj
- seasoned with a sauce containing sugar and vinegar or lemon juice
sweet basil -n
- a basil ( Ocimum basilicum) with whitish or purple flowers that includes several cultivars (as bush basil)
- its dried or fresh leaves used esp. as a seasoning
sweet bay -n
- laurel
- a magnolia ( Magnolia virginiana) of the eastern U.S. that has fragrant white flowers and leaves with glaucous undersides
sweet birch -n
- a common aromatic birch ( Betula lenta) of eastern No. America that has shiny brown bark when young, hard dark-colored wood, and a volatile oil in its bark resembling wintergreen called also black birch
sweet·bread ['swēt-,bred] -n
- the thymus or pancreas of a young animal (as a calf) used for food
sweet·bri·ar [-,brī(-ə)r] -n
- an Old World rose (esp. Rosa eleganteria) with stout recurved prickles and white to deep rosy-pink single flowers called also eglantine
sweet cherry -n
- a white-flowered Eurasian cherry ( Prunus avium) widely grown for its large sweet-flavored fruits
- its fruit
sweet chocolate -n
- chocolate that contains added sugar
sweet cic·e·ly [-'si-s(ə-)lē] -n
- any of a genus ( Osmorhiza) of American and eastern Asian herbs of the carrot family that typically have thick fleshy roots and grow in moist woodlands
sweet clover -n
- any of a genus ( Melilotus) of Old World legumes that have trifoliolate leaves and are widely grown for soil improvement or hay
sweet corn -n
- an Indian corn (esp. Zea mays rugosa) with wrinkled translucent kernels that contain a high percentage of sugar
sweet·en ['swē-tᵊn] -vb, n
- to make sweet
- to soften the mood or attitude of
- to make less painful or trying
- to free from a harmful or undesirable quality or substance
- to remove sulfur compounds from
- : to make more valuable or attractive: as
- to increase (a pot not won on the previous deal) by anteing prior to another deal
- to place additional securities as collateral for (a loan)
- to become sweet
sweetening -n
- something that sweetens
sweet fern -n
- a small No. American shrub ( Comptonia peregrina) of the wax-myrtle family with aromatic leaves
sweet flag -n
- a perennial marsh herb ( Acorus calamus) of the arum family with long narrow sword-shaped leaves and an aromatic rootstock called also calamus
sweet·grass ['swēt-,gras] -n
- a slender fragrant perennial grass ( Hierochloe odorata) that typically grows in moist soils and is used esp. in basketry
sweet gum -n
- a No. American tree ( Liquidambar styraciflua) of the witch-hazel family with palmately lobed glossy green leaves, corky twigs, a round spiny brown fruit cluster, and hard wood
- the smooth reddish-brown wood of the sweet gum
sweet·heart ['swēt-,härt] -n
- darling
- one who is loved
- a generally likable person
- a remarkable one of its kind
sweetheart -adj
- of or relating to an agreement between an employer and a labor union official arranged privately for their benefit usu. at the expense of the workers
- arranged in private for the benefit of a few at the expense of many
sweetheart neckline -n
- a neckline for women's clothing that is high in back and low in front where it is scalloped to resemble the top of a heart
sweet·ie ['swē-tē] -n
- sweet
- sweetheart
sweetie pie -n
- sweetheart
sweet·ing ['swē-tiŋ] -n
- sweetheart
- a sweet apple
sweet·ish [-tish] -adj, adv
- somewhat sweet
- unpleasantly sweet
sweet marjoram -n
- a perennial marjoram ( Origanum majoranasyn. Majorana hortensis) with dense spikelike flower clusters
sweet·meat ['swēt-,mēt] -n
- : a food rich in sugar: as
- a candied or crystallized fruit
- candy, confection
sweetness and light -n
- a harmonious combination of beauty and enlightenment viewed as a hallmark of culture
- amiable reasonableness of disposition
- they were all sweetness and light
- an untroubled or harmonious state or condition
- but all was not sweetness and light
sweet orange -n
- an orange ( Citrus sinensis) that is prob. native to southeastern Asia, has a fruit with a pithy central axis, and is the source of the widely cultivated oranges of commerce
- a cultivated orange derived from the sweet orange and usu. having fruit with a relatively thin rind and sweet juicy edible pulp
- the fruit of a sweet orange
sweet pea -n
- a widely cultivated Italian legume ( Lathyrus odoratus) having slender usu. climbing stems, ovate leaves, and large fragrant flowers
- the flower of a sweet pea
sweet pepper -n
- any of various large mild thick-walled capsicum fruits
- a pepper plant ( Capsicum annuum) bearing sweet peppers
sweet potato -n
- a tropical vine ( Ipomoea batatas) of the morning-glory family with variously shaped leaves and purplish flowers
- its large thick sweet and nutritious tuberous root that is cooked and eaten as a vegetable
- ocarina
sweet·shop ['swēt-,shäp] -n
- a candy store
sweet·sop [-,säp] -n
- sugar apple
sweet sorghum -n
- sorgo
sweet spot -n
- the area around the center of mass of a bat, racket, or head of a club that is the most effective part with which to hit a ball
sweettalk ['swēt-,tȯk] -vt
- cajole, coax
- to use flattery
sweet talk -n
- flattery
sweet tooth -n
- a craving or fondness for sweet food
sweet wil·liam [,swēt-'wil-yəm] -n
- a widely cultivated Old World pink ( Dianthus barbatus) with small white to deep red or purple flowers often showily spotted, banded, or mottled and borne in flat-topped cymes
sweet woodruff -n
- a small Eurasian and No. African sweet-scented herb ( Galium odoratumsyn. Asperula odorata) of the madder family that has small white flowers and is used esp. in perfumery and for flavoring wine
swell ['swel] -vb
- to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit
- to become distended or puffed up
- her ankle is badly swollen
- to form a bulge or rounded elevation
- to become filled with pride and arrogance
- to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner
- to play the swell
- to become distended with emotion
- to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion
- to increase the size, number, or intensity of
- a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (as a gale)
- the condition of being protuberant
- a rounded elevation
- the act or process of swelling
- a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound
- a sign indicating a swell
- a device used in an organ for governing loudness
- an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or display
- a person dressed in the height of fashion
- a person of high social position or outstanding competence
- stylish
- socially prominent
- excellent used as a generalized term of enthusiasm
swell box -n
- a chamber in an organ containing a set of pipes and having shutters that open or shut to regulate the volume of tone
swelled head ['sweld-,he-dəd] -n, adj
- an exaggerated opinion of oneself : self-conceit
swell·fish ['swel-,fish] -n
- puffer fish
swellfront ['swel-,frənt] -adj
- bowfront
swell·head [-,hed] -n, adj
- one who has a swelled head : a conceited person
swelling -n
- something that is swollen
- an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
- the condition of being swollen
swel·ter ['swel-tər] -vb
- to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat
- to become exceedingly hot
- in summer, the place swelter s
- to oppress with heat
- exude
- swelter ed venom -- Shak.
swelter -n
- a state of oppressive heat
- welter
- an excited or overwrought state of mind : sweat
sweltering -adj, adv
- oppressively hot
swept -adj
- slanted backward
sweptback ['swep(t)-'bak] -adj
- possessing sweepback
swerve ['swərv] -vb, n
- to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course : deviate
- to cause to turn aside or deviate
swev·en ['swe-vən] -n
- dream, vision
swid·den ['swi-dᵊn] -n
- a temporary agricultural plot produced by cutting back and burning off vegetative cover
swift ['swift] -adj
- moving or capable of moving with great speed
- occurring suddenly or within a very short time
- quick to respond : ready
- swiftly
- any of several lizards (esp. of the genus Sceloporus) that run swiftly
- a reel for winding yarn or thread
- any of numerous small plainly colored birds (family Apodidae) that are related to the hummingbirds but superficially much resemble swallows
swift fox -n
- a small fox ( Vulpes velox) with large ears that occurs on the plains of western No. America
swift·let ['swif(t)-lət] -n
- any of various cave-dwelling swifts (genus Collocaliasyn. Aerodramus) of Asia including one ( C. fuciphaga) that produces the nest used in bird's nest soup
swift·ly -adv
- in a swift manner : with speed : quickly
swift·ness ['swif(t)-nəs] -n
- the quality or state of being swift : celerity
- the fact of being swift
swig ['swig] -n
- a quantity drunk at one time
- to drink in long drafts
- to take a swig : drink
swill ['swil] -vb, n
- wash, drench
- to drink great drafts of : guzzle
- to feed (as a pig) with swill
- to drink or eat freely, greedily, or to excess
- swash
- something suggestive of slop or garbage : refuse
- a semiliquid food for animals (as swine) composed of edible refuse mixed with water or skimmed or sour milk
- garbage
swim ['swim] -vb, n
- to propel oneself in water by natural means (as movements of the limbs, fins, or tail)
- to play in the water (as at a beach or swimming pool)
- to move with a motion like that of swimming : glide
- a cloud swam slowly across the moon
- to float on a liquid : not sink
- to surmount difficulties : not go under
- sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish -- Daniel Webster
- to become immersed in or flooded with or as if with a liquid
- potatoes swimming in gravy
- to have a floating or reeling appearance or sensation
- to cross by propelling oneself through water
- to execute in swimming
- to cause to swim or float
- a smooth gliding motion
- an act or period of swimming
- a temporary dizziness or unconsciousness
- an area frequented by fish
- the main current of activity
- of, relating to, or used in or for swimming
swim bladder -n
- the air bladder of a fish
swim fin -n
- flipper
swim·ma·ble ['swi-mə-bəl] -adj
- that can be swum
swim·mer·et [,swi-mə-'ret, 'swi-mə-,] -n
- one of a series of small unspecialized appendages under the abdomen of many crustaceans that are best developed in some decapods (as a lobster) and usu. function in locomotion or reproduction
swimmer's ear -n
- inflammation of the canal in the outer ear that is characterized by itching, redness, swelling, pain, and discharge and that typically occurs when water trapped in the outer ear during swimming becomes infected usu. with a bacterium
swimmer's itch -n
- a severe urticarial reaction to the presence in the skin of larval schistosomes
swimming -adj
- that swims
- adapted to or used in or for swimming
- the act, art, or sport of one that swims and dives
swim·ming·ly ['swi-miŋ-lē] -adv
- very well : splendidly
- the event went swimmingly
swimming pool -n
- a pool suitable for swimming
- a tank (as of concrete or plastic) made for swimming
swim·my ['swi-mē] -adj, adv
- verging on, causing, or affected by dizziness or giddiness
- unsteady, blurred
swim·suit ['swim-,süt] -n
- a suit for swimming or bathing
swim·wear [-,wer] -n
- clothing suitable for wear while swimming or bathing
swin·dle ['swin-dᵊl] -vb, n
- to obtain money or property by fraud or deceit
- to take money or property from by fraud or deceit
swindle -n
- an act or instance of swindling : fraud
swine ['swīn] -n
- any of various stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous artiodactyl mammals (family Suidae) with a thick bristly skin and a long flexible snout
- a domesticated one descended from the wild boar
- a contemptible person
swine fever -n
- hog cholera
- an acute highly contagious usu. fatal disease of swine that is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus (species African swine fever virusof the genus Asfivirus,family Asfarviridae), that resembles but is more severe than hog cholera, and that is indigenous to Africa called also African swine fever
swine·herd [-,hərd] -n
- one who tends swine
swing ['swiŋ] -vb
- to cause to move vigorously through a wide arc or circle
- to cause to sway to and fro
- to cause to turn on an axis
- to cause to face or move in another direction
- swing the car into a side road
- to suspend so as to permit swaying or turning
- to convey by suspension
- cranes swing ing cargo into the ship's hold
- to influence decisively
- to bring around by influence
- to handle successfully : manage
- wasn't able to swing a new car on his income
- to play or sing (as a melody) in the style of swing music
- to move freely to and fro esp. in suspension from an overhead support
- to die by hanging
- to hang freely from a support
- : to move in or describe a circle or arc:
- to turn on a hinge or pivot
- to turn in place
- to convey oneself by grasping a fixed support
- to have a steady pulsing rhythm
- to play or sing with a lively compelling rhythm
- to play swing music
- to shift or fluctuate from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
- swing constantly from optimism to pessimism and back -- Sinclair Lewis
- to move along rhythmically
- to start up in a smooth vigorous manner
- ready to swing into action
- to hit or aim at something with a sweeping arm movement
- to be lively, exciting, and up-to-date
- to engage freely in sex
- : an act or instance of swinging : swinging movement: as
- a stroke or blow delivered with a sweeping arm movement
- a batter with a powerful swing
- a sweeping or rhythmic movement of the body or a bodily part
- a dance figure in which two dancers revolve with joined arms or hands
- jazz dancing in moderate tempo with a lilting syncopation
- the regular movement of a freely suspended object (as a pendulum) along an arc and back
- back and forth sweep
- steady pulsing rhythm (as in poetry or music)
- a steady vigorous movement characterizing an activity or creative work
- a trend toward a high or low point in a fluctuating cycle (as of business activity)
- an often periodic shift from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
- liberty of action
- the driving power of something swung or hurled
- steady vigorous advance : driving speed
- a train approaching at full swing
- the progression of an activity, process, or phase of existence
- the work is in full swing
- the arc or range through which something swings
- something that swings freely from or on a support
- a seat suspended by a rope or chains for swinging to and fro on for pleasure
- a curving course or outline
- a course from and back to a point : a circular tour
- jazz that is played (as by a big band) with a steady beat and that uses the harmonic structures of popular songs and the blues as a basis for improvisations and arrangements
- a short pass in football thrown to a back running to the outside
- of or relating to musical swing
- that may swing often decisively either way on an issue or in an election
swinge ['swinj] -vt
- beat, scourge
- singe, scorch
swinge·ing ['swin-jiŋ] -adj
- very large, high, or severe
swingeing -adv
- very, superlatively
swing·er ['swiŋ-ər] -n
- : one that swings: as
- a person who is lively, exciting, and up-to-date
- one who engages freely in sex
- whopper
swing·ing ['swiŋ-iŋ] -adj
- being lively, exciting, and up-to-date
- abounding in swingers and swinging entertainment
swing·ing·ly ['swin-jiŋ-lē] -adv
- very, extremely
- in a swinging manner : with a swinging movement
swin·gle·tree ['swiŋ-gəl-(,)trē] -n
- whiffletree
swing·man ['swiŋ-,man, -mən] -n
- a player capable of playing effectively in two different positions and esp. of playing both guard and forward on a basketball team
swing shift -n
- the work shift between the day and night shifts (as from 4 p.m.to midnight)
- a group of workers in a factory operating seven days a week that work as needed to permit the regular shift workers to have one or more free days per week
swingy ['swiŋ-ē] -adj
- marked by swing
swin·ish ['swī-nish] -adj, adv, n
- of, suggesting, or characteristic of swine : beastly
swink ['swiŋk] -vi
- toil, slave
- labor, drudgery
swipe ['swīp] -n
- a strong sweeping blow
- a sharp often critical remark
- took a parting swipe at management
- to strike or move with a sweeping motion
- to strike or wipe with a sweeping motion
- steal, pilfer
- to slide (a card with a magnetic strip or bar code) through a slot in a reading device so that information stored on the strip can be processed (as in making a purchase)
swipes ['swīps] -n pl
- poor, thin, or spoiled beer
- beer
swirl ['swər(-ə)l] -vb, adv
- to move with an eddying or whirling motion
- to pass in whirling confusion
- to have a twist or convolution
- to cause to swirl
- a whirling mass or motion : eddy
- whirling confusion
- a twisting shape, mark, or pattern
- an act or instance of swirling
swirly ['swər-lē] -adj
- knotted, twisted
- that swirls : swirling
- the swirly water of the rapids
swish ['swish] -vb, n, adv
- to move, pass, swing, or whirl with the sound of a swish
- to move, cut, or strike with a swish
- the horse swish ed its tail
- to make (a basketball shot) so that the ball falls through the rim without touching it
- swish ed a 3-point jumper
- a prolonged hissing sound (as of a whip cutting the air)
- a light sweeping or brushing sound
- heard the swish of the horse's tail
- a swishing movement
- an effeminate homosexual
- smart, fashionable
swishy ['swi-shē] -adj
- producing a swishing sound
- characterized by effeminate behavior
Swiss ['swis] -n
- a native or inhabitant of Switzerland
- one that is of Swiss descent
- any of various fine sheer fabrics of cotton orig. made in Switzerland
- dotted swiss
- swiss cheese
- of, relating to, or characteristic of Switzerland or the Swiss
Swiss chard -n
- a beet ( Beta vulgaris cicla) having large leaves and succulent stalks often cooked as a vegetable called also chard
Swiss cheese -n
- a hard cheese characterized by elastic texture, mild nutlike flavor, and large holes that form during ripening
Swiss steak -n
- a slice of steak pounded with flour and braised usu. with vegetables and seasonings
switch ['swich] -n
- a slender flexible whip, rod, or twig
- : an act of switching: as
- a blow with a switch
- a shift from one to another
- a change from the usual
- a tuft of long hairs at the end of the tail of an animal (as a cow)
- a device made usu. of two movable rails and necessary connections and designed to turn a locomotive or train from one track to another
- a device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit
- a heavy strand of hair used in addition to a person's own hair for some coiffures
- to strike or beat with or as if with a switch
- whisk, lash
- a cat switch ing its tail
- to turn from one railroad track to another : shunt
- to move (cars) to different positions on the same track within terminal areas
- to make a shift in or exchange of
- to shift to another electrical circuit by means of a switch
- to operate an electrical switch so as to turn (as a device) on or off usu. used with on or off
- to change to or from an active state usu. used with on or off
- to lash from side to side
- to make a shift or exchange
switch·back ['swich-,bak] -n, adj
- a zigzag road, trail, or section of railroad tracks for climbing a steep hill
switchback -vi
- to follow a zigzag course esp. for ascent or descent
- a trail that switchback s
switch·blade [-,blād] -n
- a pocketknife having the blade spring-operated so that pressure on a release catch causes it to fly open called also switchblade knife
switch·board [-,bȯrd] -n
- an apparatus (as in a telephone exchange) consisting of a panel on which are mounted electric switches so arranged that a number of circuits may be connected, combined, and controlled
switch engine -n
- a railroad engine used in switching cars
switch·er·oo [,swi-chə-'rü] -n
- a surprising variation : reversal
switch·grass ['swich-,gras] -n
- a tall No. American panic grass ( Panicum virgatum) that is used for hay and forage
switchhit [-'hit] -vi
- to bat right-handed against a left-handed pitcher and left-handed against a right-handed pitcher in baseball
switchhit·ter [-'hi-tər] -n
- a baseball player who switch-hits
- bisexual
- one that is flexible or adaptable
- a person who can work equally well in either of two jobs or capacities
switch knife -n
- switchblade
switch·man ['swich-mən] -n
- one who attends a switch (as in a railroad yard)
switch·yard [-,yärd] -n
- a usu. enclosed area for the switching facilities of a power station
swith ['swith] -adv
- instantly, quickly
swith·er ['swi-thər] -vi, n
- doubt, waver
Switz -abbr
- Switzerland
Swit·zer ['swit-sər] -n
- swiss
swiv·el ['swi-vəl] -n
- a device joining two parts so that one or both can pivot freely (as on a bolt or pin)
swivel ['swi-və-liŋ, 'swiv-liŋ] -vb
- to turn on or as if on a swivel
- swivel ed his eyes in various directions
- to swing or turn on or as if on a swivel
swivel chair -n
- a chair that swivels on its base
swiv·elhipped ['swi-vəl-,hipt] -adj
- moving with or characterized by movement with a twisting motion of the hips
swiv·et ['swi-vət] -n
- a state of extreme agitation
swiz·zle ['swi-zəl] -n
- an iced cocktail stirred with a swizzle stick
swizzle ['swi-zə-liŋ, 'swiz-liŋ] -vb, n
- to drink esp. to excess : guzzle
- to mix or stir with or as if with a swizzle stick
swizzle stick -n
- a stick used to stir mixed drinks
swob ['swäb] -n
(variant of swab)
- mop
- a yarn mop
- a wad of absorbent material usu. wound around one end of a small stick and used esp. for applying medication or for removing material from an area
- a specimen taken with a swab
- a sponge or cloth patch attached to a long handle and used to clean the bore of a firearm
- a useless or contemptible person
- sailor, gob
- to clean with or as if with a swab
- to apply medication to with a swab
- swabbed the wound with iodine
swollen ['swel] -vb
(variant of swell)
- to expand (as in size, volume, or numbers) gradually beyond a normal or original limit
- to become distended or puffed up
- her ankle is badly swollen
- to form a bulge or rounded elevation
- to become filled with pride and arrogance
- to behave or speak in a pompous, blustering, or self-important manner
- to play the swell
- to become distended with emotion
- to affect with a powerful or expansive emotion
- to increase the size, number, or intensity of
- a long often massive and crestless wave or succession of waves often continuing beyond or after its cause (as a gale)
- the condition of being protuberant
- a rounded elevation
- the act or process of swelling
- a gradual increase and decrease of the loudness of a musical sound
- a sign indicating a swell
- a device used in an organ for governing loudness
- an impressive, pompous, or fashionable air or display
- a person dressed in the height of fashion
- a person of high social position or outstanding competence
- stylish
- socially prominent
- excellent used as a generalized term of enthusiasm
swoon ['swün] -vi, n, adv
- faint
- to become enraptured
- droop, fade
- a partial or total loss of consciousness
- a state of bewilderment or ecstasy : daze, rapture
- a state of suspended animation : torpor
swoop ['swüp] -vb, n
- to move with a sweep
- to gain or carry off in or as if in a swoop usu. used with up
- an act or instance of swooping
- a single concentrated and quickly effective effort often used with fell
- solved everything at one fell swoop
swoop·stake ['swüp-,stāk] -adv
- in an indiscriminate manner
swoopy ['swü-pē] -adj
- having sweeping lines or movement
swoosh ['swüsh, 'swu̇sh] -vb
- to make or move with a rushing sound
- gush, swirl
- to discharge or transport with a rushing sound
- an act or instance of swooshing
swop ['swäp] -vb, n
(variant of swap)
- to give in trade : barter
- exchange
- to take turns in telling
- to make an exchange
- an act, instance, or process of exchanging one thing for another
sword ['sȯrd] -n, adj
- a weapon (as a cutlass or rapier) with a long blade for cutting or thrusting that is often used as a symbol of honor or authority
- an agency or instrument of destruction or combat
- the use of force
- the pen is mightier than the sword -- E. G. Bulwer-Lytton
- coercive power
- something that resembles a sword
sword cane -n
- a cane in which a sword blade is concealed
sword dance -n
- a dance performed by men in a circle holding a sword in the right hand and grasping the tip of a neighbor's sword in the left hand
- a dance performed over or around swords
sword fern -n
- : any of several ferns with long narrow more or less sword-shaped fronds: as
- a tropical fern ( Nephrolepis exaltata) from which the Boston fern has been developed
- a fern ( Polystichum munitum) of western No. America with a large fleshy rhizome
sword·fish ['sȯrd-,fish] -n
- a very large scombroid fish ( Xiphias gladiusof the family Xiphiidae) that has a long swordlike beak formed by the bones of the upper jaw and is an important food and game fish
sword grass -n
- any of various grasses or sedges having leaves with a sharp or toothed edge
sword knot -n
- an ornamental cord or tassel tied to the hilt of a sword
sword of Dam·o·cles [-'da-mə-,klēz]
- an impending disaster
sword·play ['sȯrd-,plā] -n
- the art or skill of wielding a sword esp. in fencing
- an exhibition of swordplay
swords·man ['sȯrdz-mən] -n
- one skilled in swordplay
- a saber fencer
- a soldier armed with a sword
swords·man·ship [-,ship] -n
- swordplay
sword·tail ['sȯrd-,tāl] -n
- a small brightly marked Central American live-bearer ( Xiphophorus helleriof the family Poeciliidae) often kept in tropical aquariums and bred in many colors
swore ['swer] -vb, n
(variant of swear)
- to utter or take solemnly (an oath)
- to assert as true or promise under oath
- swore to uphold the Constitution
- to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly
- swore he'd study harder next time
- to put to an oath : administer an oath to
- to bind by an oath
- to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath
- to bring into a specified state by swearing
- to take an oath
- to use profane or obscene language : curse
- oath, swearword
sworn ['swer] -vb, n
(variant of swear)
- to utter or take solemnly (an oath)
- to assert as true or promise under oath
- swore to uphold the Constitution
- to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly
- swore he'd study harder next time
- to put to an oath : administer an oath to
- to bind by an oath
- to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath
- to bring into a specified state by swearing
- to take an oath
- to use profane or obscene language : curse
- oath, swearword
swot ['swät] -n
- grind
- grind
swound ['swau̇nd, 'swünd] -n
- swoon
- swoon
swum ['swim] -vb, n
(variant of swim)
- to propel oneself in water by natural means (as movements of the limbs, fins, or tail)
- to play in the water (as at a beach or swimming pool)
- to move with a motion like that of swimming : glide
- a cloud swam slowly across the moon
- to float on a liquid : not sink
- to surmount difficulties : not go under
- sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish -- Daniel Webster
- to become immersed in or flooded with or as if with a liquid
- potatoes swimming in gravy
- to have a floating or reeling appearance or sensation
- to cross by propelling oneself through water
- to execute in swimming
- to cause to swim or float
- a smooth gliding motion
- an act or period of swimming
- a temporary dizziness or unconsciousness
- an area frequented by fish
- the main current of activity
- of, relating to, or used in or for swimming
swung ['swiŋ] -vb
(variant of swing)
- to cause to move vigorously through a wide arc or circle
- to cause to sway to and fro
- to cause to turn on an axis
- to cause to face or move in another direction
- swing the car into a side road
- to suspend so as to permit swaying or turning
- to convey by suspension
- cranes swing ing cargo into the ship's hold
- to influence decisively
- to bring around by influence
- to handle successfully : manage
- wasn't able to swing a new car on his income
- to play or sing (as a melody) in the style of swing music
- to move freely to and fro esp. in suspension from an overhead support
- to die by hanging
- to hang freely from a support
- : to move in or describe a circle or arc:
- to turn on a hinge or pivot
- to turn in place
- to convey oneself by grasping a fixed support
- to have a steady pulsing rhythm
- to play or sing with a lively compelling rhythm
- to play swing music
- to shift or fluctuate from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
- swing constantly from optimism to pessimism and back -- Sinclair Lewis
- to move along rhythmically
- to start up in a smooth vigorous manner
- ready to swing into action
- to hit or aim at something with a sweeping arm movement
- to be lively, exciting, and up-to-date
- to engage freely in sex
- : an act or instance of swinging : swinging movement: as
- a stroke or blow delivered with a sweeping arm movement
- a batter with a powerful swing
- a sweeping or rhythmic movement of the body or a bodily part
- a dance figure in which two dancers revolve with joined arms or hands
- jazz dancing in moderate tempo with a lilting syncopation
- the regular movement of a freely suspended object (as a pendulum) along an arc and back
- back and forth sweep
- steady pulsing rhythm (as in poetry or music)
- a steady vigorous movement characterizing an activity or creative work
- a trend toward a high or low point in a fluctuating cycle (as of business activity)
- an often periodic shift from one condition, form, position, or object of attention or favor to another
- liberty of action
- the driving power of something swung or hurled
- steady vigorous advance : driving speed
- a train approaching at full swing
- the progression of an activity, process, or phase of existence
- the work is in full swing
- the arc or range through which something swings
- something that swings freely from or on a support
- a seat suspended by a rope or chains for swinging to and fro on for pleasure
- a curving course or outline
- a course from and back to a point : a circular tour
- jazz that is played (as by a big band) with a steady beat and that uses the harmonic structures of popular songs and the blues as a basis for improvisations and arrangements
- a short pass in football thrown to a back running to the outside
- of or relating to musical swing
- that may swing often decisively either way on an issue or in an election
swung dash -n
- a character swung dash used in printing to conserve space by representing part or all of a previously spelled-out word