2. pl. Four privileged cards, formerly used in betting at the game of whist. [Written also {swabber}.] --Swift. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Swabber — Swab ber, n. [D. zwabber; cf.D. zwabberen to swab, G. schwabbern, Dan. svabre, Sw. svab a swab, svabla to swab.] 1. One who swabs a floor or desk. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) Formerly, an interior officer on board of British ships of war,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Swabber — Swab ber, v. t. To swab. [R.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
swabber — [swäbər] n. [< or akin to 16th c. Du zwabber < zwabben, to do dirty work, splash, akin to Ger schwappen < IE base * swep , to throw, pour out > L supare, to throw around] 1. a person who uses a swab 2. a device for swabbing … English World dictionary
swabber — In A Dictionary of Sailors’ Slang, Wilfred Granville lists ‘swab’ as ‘a term of opprobrium for a useless seaman’. He adds the explanation ‘because he is as wet as one’, i.e. as wet as the mop which is used by a swabber to clean the decks. It… … A dictionary of epithets and terms of address
swabber — noun Etymology: akin to Low German swabber mop, Middle English swabben to sway Date: 1592 1. one that swabs 2. swab 2a … New Collegiate Dictionary
swabber — /swob euhr/, n. 1. a person who uses a swab. 2. Slang. swab (def. 6). 3. a swab; mop. [1585 95; < D zwabber; cf. MLG swabben to splash in water or filth] * * * … Universalium
swabber — n. one who uses a swab; one who mops a floor; mop; … English contemporary dictionary
swabber — swab·ber … English syllables
swabber — swab•ber [[t]ˈswɒb ər[/t]] n. 1) a person who uses a swab 2) sts Slang. swab 6) 3) a swab; mop • Etymology: 1585–95; < D zwabber; cf. MLG swabben to splash in water or filth … From formal English to slang
swabber — bə(r) noun ( s) Etymology: probably from Middle English swab to sway + er 1. : one that swabs: as a. : a worker who swabs dope onto tanned hides … Useful english dictionary
