swan

English

/swɒn/, /swɑn/

noun
Definitions
  • Any of various species of large, long-necked waterfowl, of genus Cygnus (bird family: Anatidae), most of which have white plumage.
  • (figuratively) One whose grace etc. suggests a swan.
  • (heraldiccharge) This bird used as a heraldic charge, sometimes with a crown around its neck (e. g. the arms of Buckinghamshire).

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English swan inherited from Old English swan inherited from Proto-Germanic *swanaz (swan, the singing bird) derived from Proto-Indo-European *swonh₂-.

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*swonh₂-

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms