I. ˈswän noun
( plural swans )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German swan and perhaps to Latin sonus sound — more at sound
Date: before 12th century
1. plural also swan : any of various large heavy-bodied long-necked mostly pure white aquatic birds (family Anatidae, especially genus Cygnus ) that have webbed feet and are related to but larger than the geese
2. : one that resembles or is likened to a swan
3. capitalized : the constellation Cygnus
[
swan 1
]
II. intransitive verb
( swanned ; swan·ning )
Date: 1942
: to wander aimlessly or idly : dally
III. intransitive verb
( swanned ; swan·ning )
Etymology: perhaps euphemism for swear
Date: 1784
dialect : declare , swear