sweep-n; 10 Senses

Sense Number 1: a wide, unbroken physical expanse

Commentary: SWEEP[+expanse][+physical][+continuous][+wide]

Examples:
We could see the wide sweep of the valley below us.
Mary admired the sweep of wildflowers in the meadow.
The book covers the whole sweep of soviet history. (figurative extension)

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: a broad gesture, motion, of a person's limb or head

Commentary: SWEEP[+action][+gesture][+broad][+anatomical][+arm/+leg/+head]

Examples:
John beckoned the guests into the ballroom with a grandiose sweep of his hand.
With a sweep of her foot, the ballerina suddenly extended her right leg into the air.
The yoga master instructed the students to move their heads back and forth in long sweeps.

Mappings:
PropBank: sweep.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6

Sense Number 3: the act of cleaning, brushing up something

Commentary: SWEEP[+activity][+cleaning][+brushing]

Examples:
Mary gave the kitchen a quick sweep after supper.
The front porch needs a good sweep to remove the dried mud.
These former heroin addicts are trying to make a clean sweep of their lives. (figurative extension)

Mappings:
PropBank: sweep.01
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 4: a systematic search

Commentary: SWEEP[+activity][+search][+systematic]

Examples:
The police finished their sweep of the woods around the murder site.
The FBI is conducting a sweep of the neighborhood where the alleged terrorist lived.

Mappings:
PropBank: sweep.03
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 2a

Sense Number 5: decisive or total victory in a competition

Commentary: SWEEP[+state][+victory][+complete][+competition]

Examples:
Last year their team had a sweep of the World Series.
Betty and Pete had three sweeps in bridge last night.
The Russians had a clean sweep of the medals in pairs figure skating.

Mappings:
PropBank: sweep.04
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 6: a person who cleans chimneys

Commentary: SWEEP[+entity][+person][+cleaner][+chimney]

Examples:
He sweep was up on our roof examining the top of the chimney.
It is the story of an orphan boy who becomes a sweep in 19th-century London.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 7: a long boat oar

Commentary: SWEEP[+entity][+artifact][+oar][+long][+boat]

Examples:
Those rowers are using sweeps with that rowing shell.
Bob borrowed John's sweeps yesterday to go for a row.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 8: the curve or contour of a form

Commentary: SWEEP[+quality][+contour][+curve]

Examples:
John admired the sweep of the aircraft's wings.
The portrait caught the sweep of the woman's neck beautifully.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 6

Sense Number 9: a tactical play in American football

Commentary: SWEEP[+action][+play][+tactical][+sports][+football]

Examples:
The offense made their first in ten by using a sweep.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 10: a period of time during which TV shows are rated

Commentary: SWEEP[+event][+ratings][+television]
NOTE: occurs in the plural

Examples:
That new show bombed during the sweeps.
Advertisers run expensive ads during the sweeps.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 7