adv. [f. prec. + -LY2.] In a sweeping manner (lit. or fig.).
1. With a sweeping movement; so as to sweep over a surface.
1830. Blackw. Mag., XXVII. 509. Those tragedies which go sweepingly over the bloody stage.
1854. Chamb. Jrnl., II. 120. Their outer integuments have a tendency … to trail sweepingly at the heels.
2. So as to have a wide scope; comprehensively; indiscriminately.
1822. Examiner, 802/1. Is it to be tolerated that men … should be thus sweepingly branded with the ignominy of guilt?
1881. Miss Braddon, Asph., II. 137. All wild and rugged coasts she denounced sweepingly, as dangerous to life and limb.
So Sweepingness.
1831. Examiner, 306/1. The … Tories have themselves alone to blame for the sweepingness which they ascribe to the Reform Bill.
1881. W. Clark Russell, Ocean Free-Lance, II. 111. I made her a low bow, which she returned with a sublime curtsey, the overwhelming sweepingness of which was no doubt meant to cover me with confusion and awe.
