World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesSwab
/swɒb/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To clean or apply something using an absorbent pad or piece of cotton attached to a stick.
"The nurse swabbed the patient's arm with antiseptic before giving the injection."
- 1
A small piece of soft material on a stick used for medical purposes, such as cleaning a wound or taking a specimen.
"The doctor took a throat swab to test for strep throat."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch 'swabbel' meaning a mop or a clumsy person, entering English in the late 15th century initially as a nautical term for cleaning decks. Over time, the meaning broadened to include medical cleaning and the collection of biological specimens using a small absorbent pad on a stick.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Swab"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Swab" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
tamponner
Transliteration: tampɔne
"Il a tamponné la plaie avec de l'antiseptique."
tupfen
Transliteration: ˈtʊpfn̩
"Die Wunde wurde mit einem Wattestäbchen gereinigt."
tamponare
Transliteration: tampɔˈnare
"L'infermiere ha tamponato la ferita."
hisopar
Transliteration: isoˈpaɾ
"El médico hisopó la garganta del paciente."
passar cotonete
Transliteration: paˈsaɾ kotuˈnɛtʃi
"A enfermeira passou o cotonete no ferimento."
पोंछना
Transliteration: ponchna
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"डॉक्टर ने घाव को रुई से पोंछा।"
擦拭
Transliteration: cāshì
Script: 中文汉字
"护士用棉签擦拭了伤口。"
면봉으로 닦다
Transliteration: myeonbongeuro dakda
Script: 한국어 한글
"간호사가 상처를 소독용 면봉으로 닦았습니다."
拭う
Transliteration: nuguu
Script: 日本語
"看護師は綿棒で傷口を拭いました。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsPlacing the customer's needs, experiences, and preferences at the center of a business's philosophy, operations, and decision-making.
The cold temperature or biting quality of the air characteristic of winter.
To walk with difficulty, typically because of physical injury or stiffness in the legs or feet.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Swab"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.