ometání

Ometání is a Czech noun derived from the verb ometat, referring to the act of sweeping away or brushing off loose material from a surface. It covers cleaning actions such as removing dust from floors, debris from sidewalks, snow from paths, or leaves from a courtyard. The term is used in everyday language as well as in instructional texts dealing with cleaning and maintenance.

Etymology and usage notes: Ometání comes from the root met- meaning to sweep, with the prefix o- that can intensify or specify the action. The word is typically used for physical cleaning performed with a broom, brush, or similar tool. While its primary sense is literal, the expression can also appear in figurative language to denote removing something unwanted from a surface or record, though this figurative use is less common.

Contexts: In domestic and agricultural settings, metání it is a common chore in both indoor and outdoor environments. Examples include ometání prachu (dust sweeping), ometání sněhu (snow sweeping) from a sidewalk, and ometání listí (sweeping leaves) from a path. In manuals or guidelines, ometání is described as part of routine upkeep, often preceding polishing, washing, or sealing surfaces.

Related terms and distinctions: Ometání is related to other Czech cleaning verbs such as zametat (to sweep with a broom) and smetat (to sweep off or sweep away). The specific choice of term can depend on the surface, material, or region.

In summary, ometání denotes the straightforward, physical action of sweeping away material from a surface, with historical roots in everyday household and outdoor cleaning.