A wad of cotton, gauze, or other absorbent material attached to the end of a stick or clamp, used for applying or removing a substance from a surface.
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swab 'swäb n
1) a wad of absorbent material usu. wound around one end of a small stick and used for applying medication or for removing material from an area
2) a specimen taken with a swab <a throat \swab>
swab vt, swabbed; swab·bing to apply medication to with a swab <swabbed the wound with iodine>
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n.
a pad of absorbent material (such as cotton), sometimes attached to a stick or wire, used for cleaning out or applying medication to wounds, operation sites, or body cavities. In operations, gauze swabs are used to clean blood from the site; such swabs are always carefully counted and contain a radiopaque 'tag' to facilitate identification should it by mischance remain in the body after operation.
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(swahb) a wad of cotton or other absorbent material firmly attached to the end of a wire or stick, used for applying medication, removing material, collecting bacteriological material, etc.Medical dictionary. 2011.