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

1plural 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 geese2: one that resembles or is likened to a swan3capitalized : the constellation Cygnus

[swan illustration]