shear vs swab

shear

verb
  • To remove the fleece from a sheep etc. by clipping. 

  • To deform because of forces pushing in opposite directions. 

  • To make a vertical cut in coal. 

  • To cut, originally with a sword or other bladed weapon, now usually with shears, or as if using shears. 

  • To transform by displacing every point in a direction parallel to some given line by a distance proportional to the point’s distance from the line. 

  • To cut the hair of (a person). 

  • To deprive of property; to fleece. 

  • To reap, as grain. 

  • To change in direction or speed. 

noun
  • A large machine use for cutting sheet metal. 

  • The act of shearing, or something removed by shearing. 

  • Wind shear, or an instance thereof. 

  • A transformation that displaces every point in a direction parallel to some given line by a distance proportional to the point’s distance from the line. 

  • The response of a rock to deformation usually by compressive stress, resulting in particular textures. 

  • A cutting tool similar to scissors, but often larger. 

  • Forces that push in opposite directions. 

swab

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

noun
  • A sailor; a swabby. 

  • A naval officer's epaulet. 

  • 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 mop, especially on a ship. 

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

  • A sample taken with a swab (piece of absorbent material). 

How often have the words shear and swab occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )