Swan

swon, n. a genus of birds constituting a very distinct section of the Duck family Anatidæ , having the neck as long as the body, noted for grace and stateline of movement on the water.— ns. Swan′-goose , the China goose; Swan′-herd , one who tends swans; Swan′-hop′ping , better Swan′-mark′ing and Swan′-up′ping , the custom of marking the upper mandible of a swan to show ownership—done annually to the royal swans on the Thames, the occasion being excuse for a festive expedition.— adj. Swan′-like .— ns. Swan′-maid′en , a familiar figure in European folklore, changing at will into a maiden or a swan by means of the magic properties of her shift; Swan′-mark , the notch made on the swan's upper mandible; Swan′-neck , the end of a pipe, ., curved like a swan's neck; Swan′nery , a place where swans are kept and tended.— adj. Swan′ny , swan-like.— ns. Swan's′-down , the down or under-plumage of a swan, used for powder-puffs, .: a soft woollen cloth: a thick cotton with a soft nap on one side; Swan′-shot , a shot of large size, like buck-shot; Swan′-skin , the unplucked skin of a swan: a soft, nappy, fine-twilled flannel; Swan′-song , the fabled song of a swan just before its death: a poet's or musician's last work. [A.S. swan ; Ger. schwan , Dut. zwaan .]