 Etymology : Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German swan and perhaps to Latin sonus sound; more at SOUND Pronunciation : swän Function : noun Date : before 12th century
1. Cygnus, northern constellation. large white waterbird having a long neck and webbed feet. swan\swan\ , n. [as. swan; akin to d. zwaan, ohg. swan, g. schwan, icel. svanr, sw. svan, dan. svane; and perhaps to e. sound something audible.]. 2. (zo?l.) any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to cygnus, olor, and allied genera of the subfamily cygnin?. 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.note: the european white, or mute, swan (cygnus gibbus), which is most commonly domesticated, bends its neck in an s-shaped curve. the whistling, or trumpeting, swans of the genus olor do not bend the neck in an s-shaped curve, and are noted for their loud and sonorous cry, due to complex convolutions of the windpipe. to this genus belong the european whooper, or whistling swan (olor cygnus), the american whistling swan (o. columbianus), and the trumpeter swan (o. buccinator). the australian black swan (chenopis atrata) is dull black with white on the wings, and has the bill carmine, crossed with a white band. it is a very graceful species and is often domesticated. the south american black-necked swan (sthenelides melancorypha) is a very beautiful and graceful species, entirely white, except the head and neck, which are dark velvety seal-brown. its bill has a double bright rose-colored knob. 3. fig.: an appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as shakespeare is called the swan of avon. 4. (astron.) the constellation cygnus.swan goose (zo?l.), a bird of india (cygnopsis cygnoides) resembling both the swan and the goose.swan shot, a large size of shot used in fowling.swan stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult v. 5. to declare or affirm as true: "before god i swear i am innocent." [syn: affirm, assert, avow, aver, swear]. 6. move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment; "the gypsies roamed the woods"; "roving vagabonds"; "the wandering jew"; "the cattle roam across the prairie"; "the laborers drift from one town to the next" [syn: wander, stray, tramp, roam, cast, ramble, rove, range, drift, vagabond]. 7. sweep majestically; "airplanes were swanning over the mountains"swan mentioned in the list of unclean birds (lev. 11:18; deut. 14:16), is sometimes met with in the jordan and the sea of galilee.swan secure wan ??? (rsa), "s/wan"swan sun wide area network (sun, wan). 8. Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the subfamily Cygninæ. 9. They have a large and strong beak and a long neck, and are noted for their graceful movements when swimming. 10. Most of the northern species are white. 11. In literature the swan was fabled to sing a melodious song, especially at the time of its death. 12. Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon. 13. The constellation Cygnus. stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult sweep majestically; "Airplanes were swanning over the mountains". 14. 1. A swan is a large bird with a very long neck. Swans live on rivers and lakes and are usually white. 15. If you describe someone as swanning around or swanning off, you mean that they go and have fun, rather than working or taking care of their responsibilities. She spends her time swanning around the world. To declare; swear. Used in the phrase I swan as an interjection. See Regional Note at vum. a large white bird with a long neck that lives on rivers and lakes. swanned swanning to enjoy yourself and behave in a relaxed way that is annoying to other people swan off/around. Long-necked, heavy-bodied, big-footed waterfowl (genus Cygnus, family Anatidae). Among waterfowl, swans are the largest and fastest, both swimming and flying; at about 50 lbs (23 kg), the mute swan (C. olor) is the heaviest flying bird. Swans dabble in shallows for aquatic plants. Five all-white, black-legged species live in the Northern Hemisphere; a black and a black-necked species live in the Southern Hemisphere. Males (cobs) and females (pens) look alike. Swans mate for life. The cob keeps guard while the pen incubates, on average, six eggs on a heap of vegetation; the young (cygnets) are tended for several months. Their graceful form when swimming has made swans emblems of beauty for centuries. Swan River Swan Sir Joseph Wilson trumpeter swan whistling swan.
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