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.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the
subfamily Cygninæ. 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.
&fist; 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.
2. Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and
melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon.
3. (Astron.) The constellation Cygnus.
Swan goose (Zoöl.),
a bird of
India (Cygnopsis cygnoides) resembling both the swan
and the goose. -- Swan shot, a large size of
shot used in fowling.
Hear it pronounced