swat

UK: swɒt | US: swɑːt

Definition

  1. vt. to hit or crush something (especially an insect) with a quick, sharp blow

  2. n. a quick, sharp blow, often with a flat object

  3. n. (informal) a police or military unit trained for rapid response (e.g., SWAT team)

Structure

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Etymology

The word "swat" originated in the early 17th century as an imitative (onomatopoeic) verb, mimicking the sound of a sharp blow. It later evolved into a noun describing the action itself. The modern specialized meaning (e.g., SWAT team) emerged in the 1960s as an acronym for "Special Weapons and Tactics," but the standalone word retains its original sense.

Examples

  1. She tried to swat the mosquito buzzing near her ear.

  2. He gave the fly a swift swat with a rolled-up newspaper.

  3. The SWAT team was deployed to handle the hostage situation.

  4. A careless swat knocked the vase off the table.

  5. The child giggled as he attempted to swat the balloon.