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Of or pertaining to society; social. The all-sweeping besom of societarian reformation. Lamb.

To sweep. See Sweep, and Swoop. [Obs.]

tic effort, as in an emergency; an increased exertion for a brief space. The long, steady sweep of the so-called "paddle" tried him almost as much as the breathless strain of the spurt. T. Hughes.

To walk proudly; to sweep along. [Prov. Eng.] Todd.

To beat the air, or ply the wings, with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap.

See Sweep, n., 12.

The whole sweep of a scythe, or the whole breadth from which grass or grain is cut by a scythe or a machine, in mowing or cradling; as, to cut a wide swath.

The act of swaying; a swaying motion; the swing or sweep of a weapon. With huge two-handed sway brandished aloft. Milton.

imp. & p. p. of Sweep.

The sweep of anything in motion; a swinging blow; a swing. [Obs.] Waller.

A swape or sweep. See Sweep.

To seize; to catch up; to take with a sweep. And now at last you came to swoop it all. Dryden. The grazing ox which swoops it [the medicinal herb] in with the common grass. Glanvill.

See Sweepstake. [Obs.]

A long-handled, round-headed broom for sweeping ceilings, etc. [Colloq. or Dial.]

f wind. "Everywaft of the air." Longfellow. In this dire season, oft the whirlwind's wing Sweeps up the burden of whole wintry plains In one wide waft. Thomson.

guished from one which occupies the whole of the space left for it in the floor. -- Well sweep. Same as Sweep, n., 12. -- Well water, the water that flows into a well from subterraneous springs; the water drawn from a well.

Fig.: A body of objects sweeping violently onward. "The whirlwind of hounds and hunters." Macaulay.

The act of whisking; a rapid, sweeping motion, as of something light; a sudden motion or quick puff. This first sad whisk Takes off thy dukedom; thou art but an earl. J. Fletcher.

One who, or that which, whisks, or moves with a quick, sweeping motion.

Sweeping along lightly.