swab (swahb) a wad of cotton or other absorbent material attached to the end of a wire or stick, used for applying medication, removing material, collecting bacteriological material, etc.
swab
swab (sw b)n. 1. A small piece of absorbent material attached to the end of a stick or wire and used for cleansing or applying medicine. 2. A specimen of mucus or other material removed with a swab. |
swab
[swob]
Etymology: D, swabber, ship's drudge
a stick or clamp holding absorbent gauze or cotton, used for washing, cleansing, or drying a body surface; for collecting a specimen for laboratory examination; or for applying a topical medication.
swab
1. a small pledget of cotton or gauze wrapped around the end of a slender wooden stick or wire for applying medications or obtaining specimens of secretions, etc., from body surfaces or orifices.
2. use of a swab to collect a specimen, e.g. collection of a sample of saliva for testing horses for doping.
swabÂ
A small piece of absorbent material (e.g. cotton) usually attached to the end of a stick or rod used to apply medication, to take specimens for analysis (e.g. from the bulbar conjunctiva or eyelids), or in surgery for cleaning a wound.
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