ppl. a. [pa. pple. of SWEEP v.] In senses of the verb. Also with advs., as swept-out, -up. Freq. as the second element of compounds, as air-, breeze-, bullet-, wind-swept.
1552. Huloet, Swept howse, tersa domus.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), I. 346. Then he fills up the said swept place with Malt cast into a round from the sides.
1852. Dickens, Bleak Ho., v. Groping among the swept-out rubbish for pins and other refuse.
1893. G. D. Leslie, Lett. Marco, i. 6. Piles of swept-up leaves.
1895. M. Hewlett, Earthwork Tuscany, 12. Gas-lamps in swept streets flickered dirty yellow in the garish light.
1903. Daily Chron., 28 May, 7/3. A sword with a ‘swept’ hilt of large proportions.
