[SWEEP- 1.]
1. A large net used in fishing, enclosing a wide space; a kind of seine. Also fig.
1605. Camden, Rem., Anagrams, 154. She [sc. Q. Eliz.] was as a Sweepnet for the Spanish ships, which … happily fell into her net.
1611. Cotgr., Esparvier,… a great Sweepe-net for fishing.
1721. in Bailey.
1834. Jardine, in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club, I. No. 2. 51. In the rivers they [sc. herling] are caught with the common sweep-nets.
1866. Daily Tel., 5 Jan., 5/1. The sweep-net and circle and shrimp nets, which certainly do entrap immense quantities of immature fry.
1894. A. Robertson, Nuggets, etc., 130. She guessed her guess, and made a cast with her sweep-net of questions and caught him in the meshes.
2. A net used for catching insects by sweeping it over herbage, etc.
1872. Routledge’s Ev. Boy’s Ann., Sept., 634/1. The larva of this insect may be found plentiful, especially if the sweep-net be used.
