swap Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an equal exchange
    swop; barter; trade.
    • we had no money so we had to live by barter
  2. verb exchange or give (something) in exchange for
    switch; swop; trade.
  3. verb move (a piece of a program) into memory, in computer science

WordNet


Swap transitive verb
Etymology
OE. swappen to strike; cf. E. to strike a bargain; perh. akin to E. sweep. Cf. Swap a blow, Swap, v. i.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Swapped ; present participle & verbal noun Swapping
Definitions
  1. To strike; -- with off. Obs. or Prov. Eng. "Swap off his head!" Chaucer.
  2. To exchange (usually two things of the same kind); to swop. Colloq. Miss Edgeworth.
Swap intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. Swap, v. t.
Definitions
  1. To fall or descend; to rush hastily or violently. C. Richardson (Dict.).
    All suddenly she swapt adown to ground. Chaucer.
  2. To beat the air, or ply the wings, with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap.
Swap noun
Etymology
Cf. G. schwapp, n., a slap, swap, schwapp, schwapps, interj., slap! smack! and E. swap, v.t.
Definitions
  1. A blow; a stroke. Obs. or Prov. Eng.
  2. An exchange; a barter. Colloq. Sir W. Scott.
Swap adverb
Etymology
See Swap, n.
Definitions
  1. Hastily. Prov. Eng.

Webster 1913