Stab vs Swab - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between stab and swab

is that stab is headquarters while swab is (medicine) a small piece of soft, absorbent material, such as gauze, used to clean wounds, apply medicine, or take samples of body fluids often attached to a stick or wire to aid access.

As a verb swab is

to use a swab on something, or clean something with a swab.

stab

English

(wikipedia stab)

Noun

(en noun)

An act of stabbing or thrusting with an object.

A wound made by stabbing.

Pain inflicted on a person's feelings.

(informal) An attempt.

I'll give this thankless task a stab .

Criticism.

(music) A single staccato chord that adds dramatic impact to a composition.

a horn stab

Derived terms

* have a stab at, take a stab at * stabbing * stabby * stab vest * stab in the dark * stab in the back

Verb

(stabb)

To pierce or to wound (somebody) with a pointed tool or weapon, especially a knife or dagger.

* {{quote-book, year=1905, author=

, title= , chapter=1 citation , passage=“There the cause of death was soon ascertained?; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom. […]”}}

To thrust in a stabbing motion.

To recklessly hit with the tip of a pointed object, such as a weapon or finger .

* (John Dryden)

None shall dare / With shortened sword to stab in closer war.

To cause a sharp, painful sensation .

(figurative) To injure secretly or by malicious falsehood or slander.

Derived terms

* stabber

Anagrams

* English intransitive verbs English transitive verbs ----

swab

English

Noun

(en noun)

(medicine) a small piece of soft, absorbent material, such as gauze, used to clean wounds, apply medicine, or take samples of body fluids. Often attached to a stick or wire to aid access.

A sample taken with a swab (1).

A piece of material used for cleaning or sampling other items like musical instruments or guns.

A mop, especially on a ship.

(slang) A sailor; a swabby.

Synonyms

* (sailor) swabby

Verb

(swabb)

To use a swab on something, or clean something with a swab.

* , chapter=6

, title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=He had one hand on the bounce bottle—and he'd never let go of that since he got back to the table—but he had a handkerchief in the other and was swabbing his deadlights with it.}}