swap
v. · n.-
1 to exchange (v.) B1 Intermediateto give something to someone and receive something else from them.
to exchange one thing for another; often used transitively with 'for' or 'with'.
ExampleI swapped my sandwich for her apple because I wasn't very hungry.
ExampleThe two collectors decided to swap their duplicate stamps to help each other complete their respective albums.
UsageOften used with the preposition 'for' to indicate the item received.
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2 an exchange (n.) B1 Intermediatean act of giving one thing and receiving another.
the act of exchanging two comparable things or people.
ExampleWe did a quick swap of seats so that he could sit next to the window.
ExampleThe manager suggested a personnel swap between the marketing and sales departments to encourage fresh perspectives.
- exchange
- trade off
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3 financial contract (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Financea special agreement between two companies to trade different types of payments.
a derivative contract through which two parties exchange the cash flows or liabilities from two different financial instruments.
ExampleThe company entered into an interest rate swap to lower its borrowing costs.
ExampleInstitutional investors often use currency swaps to hedge against potential fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
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4 computing memory (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Computingspace on a computer's hard drive used as extra memory when the main memory is full.
the use of a hard disk as virtual memory to store data that cannot fit in the physical RAM.
ExampleThe computer slowed down because it was using too much swap space.
ExampleThe system administrator increased the swap partition to prevent the server from crashing during peak processing hours.
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun in this context.
- virtual memory
From Middle English swappen (“to swap”), originally meaning "to hurl" or "to strike", the word alludes to striking hands together when making an exchange; probably from Old English *swappian, a secondary form of Old English swāpan (“to swoop”). Cognate with German schwappen (“to slosh, slop”). Compare also Middle English swippen (“to strike, hit”), from Old English swipian (“to scourge, strike, beat, lash”), Old Norse svipa (“to swoop, flash, whip, look after, look around”). More at swipe.
From the verb swap. First attested in 1620.
From Middle English swap, swappe (“a blow, strike, lash from a whip”), from the verb (see Etymology 1 above).