The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Sweep \Sweep\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swept; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Sweeping.] [OE. swepen; akin to AS. sw[=a]pan. See Swoop,
   v. i.]
   1. To pass a broom across (a surface) so as to remove loose
      dirt, dust, etc.; to brush, or rub over, with a broom for
      the purpose of cleaning; as, to sweep a floor, the street,
      or a chimney. Used also figuratively.
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            I will sweep it with the besom of destruction.
                                                  --Isa. xiv.
                                                  23.
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   2. To drive or carry along or off with a broom or a brush, or
      as if with a broom; to remove by, or as if by, brushing;
      as, to sweep dirt from a floor; the wind sweeps the snow
      from the hills; a freshet sweeps away a dam, timber, or
      rubbish; a pestilence sweeps off multitudes.
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            The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies. --Isa.
                                                  xxviii. 17.
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            I have already swept the stakes.      --Dryden.
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   3. To brush against or over; to rub lightly along.
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            Their long descending train,
            With rubies edged and sapphires, swept the plain.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   4. To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence,
      to carry in a stately or proud fashion.
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            And like a peacock sweep along his tail. --Shak.
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   5. To strike with a long stroke.
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            Wake into voice each silent string,
            And sweep the sounding lyre.          --Pope.
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   6. (Naut.) To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the
      bottom of a river with a net.
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   7. To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an
      instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a
      telescope.
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   To sweep a mold or To sweep up a mold (Founding), to form
      the sand into a mold by a templet, instead of compressing
      it around the pattern.
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