| Swan 1. (n.) Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the subfamily Cygninae. 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. 2. (n.) Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon. 3. (n.) The constellation Cygnus. Thesaurus Entries alabaster, avifauna, baby bird, bird, bird of Jove, bird of Juno, bird of Minerva, bird of night, bird of passage, bird of prey, birdie, birdlife, birdy, cage bird, chalk, chick, cygnet, diving bird, dove, driven snow, eagle, eaglet, fish-eating bird, fledgling, fleece, flightless bird, flour, foam, fowl, fruit-eating bird, fulmar, game bird, insect-eating bird, ivory, lily, maggot, migrant, migratory bird, milk, nestling, oscine bird, owl, paper, passerine bird, peacock, peafowl, peahen, pearl, perching bird, pigeon, ratite, sea bird, seed-eating bird, sheet, shore bird, silver, snow, songbird, squab, storm petrel, stormy petrel, wading bird, warbler, water bird, waterfowl, wildfowl |