Sweep

sweep

1. the distance, arc, etc., through which something, such as a pendulum, moves

2. Cards

a. the winning of every trick in a hand of whist

b. the taking, by pairing, of all exposed cards in cassino

3. short for sweepstake

4. Cricket a shot in which the ball is hit more or less square on the leg side from a half-kneeling position with the bat held nearly horizontal

5. 

a. a long oar used on an open boat

b. Austral a person steering a surf boat with such an oar

6. any of the sails of a windmill

7. Electronics a steady horizontal or circular movement of an electron beam across or around the fluorescent screen of a cathode-ray tube

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sweep [swēp]

(electronics)

The steady movement of the electron beam across the screen of a cathode-ray tube, producing a steady bright line when no signal is present; the line is straight for a linear sweep and circular for a circular sweep.

The steady change in the output frequency of a signal generator from one limit of its range to the other.

(metallurgy)

A profile pattern used to form molds for symmetrical articles made by sweep casting.

(ordnance)

Swift flight of a formation of combat airplanes over enemy territory.

To cover a wide area with gunfire.

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sweep

1. Said of any large form or mass that curves; for example, the sweep of a curved wall.

2. A long pole, pivoted on a vertical post, to which a bucket is attached at one end; used to raise water from a well.

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Sweep 

a special device on minesweepers and helicopters that is used for the detection and destruction of mines (see). There are ship, motorboat, airplane, and coastal sweeps; sweeps adapted for river use are called river sweeps. Depending on their design and how they are used, sweeps are classified as single-ship, double-ship, surface, deep-water and bottom sweeps.

Sweeps are subdivided into two categories, depending on whether they make contact with the mines. Contact sweeps are intended for the destruction of moored contact mines; they may tow or mark the mines or cut the mooring lines. Noncontact or influence sweeps are designed to destroy bottom mines. They generate a magnetic, electromagnetic, or hydrodynamic field when moved, thus simulating the motion of a ship and actuating the mine fuzes.