Sweeping
/ˈswiː.pɪŋ/noun
Moving in a broad, continuous arc, or thorough and extensive in scope.
Did you know?English *sweep* comes from a Germanic root meaning to move swiftly or sweep away, and its far older cousins include words for flowing and even ‘swooping’ motions across Indo-European languages.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sweb(h)-
“to move in a sweeping, swinging, or rushing way”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*swēpaną
“to sweep, strike, or move in a sweeping motion”
Old English
English
swēpan
“to sweep, brush, or clear by sweeping”
Middle English
English
swepen
“to sweep or brush away”
Modern English
English
sweeping
“moving in a broad arc; extensive or comprehensive”