sweep-net
[sweep- 1.]
1. A large net used in fishing, enclosing a wide space; a kind of seine. Also fig.
| 1605 Camden Rem., Anagrams 154 She [sc. Q. Eliz.] was as a Sweepnet for the Spanish ships, which..happily fell into her net. 1611 Cotgr., Esparvier,..a great Sweepe-net for fishing. 1721 in Bailey. 1834 Jardine in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club I. No. 2. 51 In the rivers they [sc. herling] are caught with the common sweep-nets. 1866 Daily Tel. 5 Jan. 5/1 The sweep-net and circle and shrimp nets, which certainly do entrap immense quantities of immature fry. 1894 A. Robertson Nuggets, etc. 130 She guessed her guess, and made a cast with her sweep-net of questions and caught him in the meshes. |
2. A net used for catching insects by sweeping it over herbage, etc.
| 1872 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. Sept. 634/1 The larva of this insect may be found plentiful, especially if the sweep⁓net be used. |