swans

Variant of swan

swan definition

swan (swän, swôn)

noun

  1. pl. swans or swan any of several large-bodied, web-footed waterfowl (family Anatidae, esp. genus Cygnus) with a long, graceful neck and, typically, pure white feathers: swans are graceful swimmers and strong fliers
  2. a person who resembles or is thought to resemble a swan in some way; sometimes, specif., a great poet or singer

Etymology: ME < OE, akin to Ger schwan < IE base *swen-, to sound, sing > L sonus, sound

intransitive verb

Brit., Informal to move slowly or majestically, with a calm, serene air
swan Idioms

the Swan

the constellation Cygnus

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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