swipe

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 ~ (at) sb/sth to hit or try to hit sb/sth with your hand or an object by swinging your arm: [V] He swiped at the ball and missed. [also VN] 2 [VN] (informal) to steal sth SYNPINCH: They're always swiping other kids' sweets. 3 [VN] to pass a plastic card, such as a CREDITCARD, through a special machine that is able to read the information that is stored on it: The cash register only opens once the card has been swiped. noun ~ (at sb/sth) (informal) 1 an act of hitting or trying to hit sb/sth by swinging your arm or sth that you are holding: She took a swipe at him with her umbrella. 2 an act of criticizing sb/sth: He used the interview to take a swipe at his critics.