Main Entry: ¹swan

Pronunciation: \ˈswän\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural swans

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German swan and perhaps to Latin sonus sound — more at sound

Date: before 12th century

1 plural also swan : any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked mostly pure white aquatic birds (family Anatidae, especially genus Cygnus) that have webbed feet and are related to but larger than the geese
2 : one that resembles or is likened to a swan
3 capitalized : the constellation Cygnus

[swan illustration]