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REFERENCE

swap

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈswɑp// UK //swˈɒp// swap Archaic Dialect Informal

v. to give something to someone and get something else back in return. You often do this with friends when you want to trade items or ideas.

v. to exchange one thing for another. Often used in informal contexts or when describing the replacement of one component with another in technical settings.


SIMPLE

I will swap my sandwich for your apple.

CONTEXTUAL

The two collectors decided to swap their duplicate stamps to complete their respective sets.

COMPLEX

In high-frequency trading environments, systems may swap data packets across multiple nodes to ensure that processing loads remain balanced during periods of extreme market volatility.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

From the verb swap. First attested in 1620.

Etymology 3

From Middle English swap, swappe (“a blow, strike, lash from a whip”), from the verb (see Etymology 1 above).

Usage

The verb is transitive and often takes the preposition 'for' to indicate the item being received.

Pitfall

I swapped my old phone by a new oneI swapped my old phone for a new oneWhen exchanging items, the verb swap requires the preposition 'for' rather than 'by' or 'with'.

Idioms1 entry

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