carpet sweeper
Definition
Noun: A carpet sweeper is a manual household cleaning device. It consists of a box on wheels containing rotating brushes. When pushed across a carpeted floor, the brushes sweep up loose dirt, dust, and debris into a built-in storage compartment.
Usage
The term carpet sweeper is used to refer to the specific, non-electric cleaning tool. It is a compound noun where "carpet" describes the primary surface it is designed for, and "sweeper" describes its function. * For quick cleanups, she used the carpet sweeper instead of the noisy vacuum. * The antique carpet sweeper was still effective at picking up crumbs from the rug.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: The carpet sweeper, famously patented by Melville Bissell in 1876, was a revolutionary household tool before the widespread adoption of electric vacuums.
- Functional Description: Unlike a vacuum cleaner, a carpet sweeper operates without electricity or a bag, relying on mechanical action to collect dirt.
Variants and Related Words
- Sweeper (noun): A more general term for a person or device that sweeps. A carpet sweeper is a type of sweeper.
- Manual sweeper: A synonym that emphasizes the non-powered, hand-operated nature of the device.
Synonyms
- Manual sweeper
- Mechanical sweeper
- Bissell (a common brand name often used generically in some contexts)
Antonyms
- Vacuum cleaner
- Electric sweeper
Related Phrases/Idioms
- To give something the once-over with a carpet sweeper: To clean something quickly and lightly.
- Before the guests arrived, she gave the living room rug the once-over with the carpet sweeper.
Noun
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a cleaning implement with revolving brushes that pick up dirt as the implement is pushed over a carpet
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