swab
UK: swɒb | US: swɑːb
n. a small piece of soft material used for cleaning or applying medicine
vt. to clean or apply medicine using a swab
The word "swab" traces back to early Germanic languages, likely derived from the Dutch "zwabber" or Low German "swabben," both meaning "to clean or wipe." It originally referred to a mop or cleaning tool, later narrowing to its modern sense of a small absorbent pad. The term retains its core idea of cleaning or applying substances through wiping.
The nurse used a cotton swab to apply antiseptic to the wound.
Sailors swab the deck every morning to keep it clean.
He swabbed his throat for a DNA test.
The lab technician analyzed the swab for bacterial growth.
Always dispose of used swabs properly to avoid contamination.