Swan

[swɒn] or [swɑn]

Definition

(noun.) stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult.

(verb.) sweep majestically; 'Airplanes were swanning over the mountains'.

Edited by Hilda--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the subfamily Cygninae. They have a large and strong beak and a long neck, and are noted for their graceful movements when swimming. Most of the northern species are white. In literature the swan was fabled to sing a melodious song, especially at the time of its death.

(n.) Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon.

(n.) The constellation Cygnus.

Editor: Stanton

Definition

n. a genus of birds constituting a very distinct section of the Duck family Anatid having the neck as long as the body noted for grace and stateliness of movement on the water.—ns. Swan′-goose the China goose; Swan′-herd one who tends swans; Swan′-hop′ping better Swan′-mark′ing and Swan′-up′ping the custom of marking the upper mandible of a swan to show ownership—done annually to the royal swans on the Thames the occasion being excuse for a festive expedition.—adj. Swan′-like.—ns. Swan′-maid′en a familiar figure in European folklore changing at will into a maiden or a swan by means of the magic properties of her shift; Swan′-mark the notch made on the swan's upper mandible; Swan′-neck the end of a pipe &c. curved like a swan's neck; Swan′nery a place where swans are kept and tended.—adj. Swan′ny swan-like.—ns. Swan's′-down the down or under-plumage of a swan used for powder-puffs &c.: a soft woollen cloth: a thick cotton with a soft nap on one side; Swan′-shot a shot of large size like buck-shot; Swan′-skin the unplucked skin of a swan: a soft nappy fine-twilled flannel; Swan′-song the fabled song of a swan just before its death: a poet's or musician's last work.

Inputed by Frieda