(a) A bird of the genus Cygnus, esp. the mute swan (C. olor); also, a swan offered as a prize for victory in a wrestling match [quot. a1425 Dial.Reason & A.]; (b) in cpds. & combs.: ~ brid, a young swan, cygnet; ~ ei, a swan's egg; ~ herde, a keeper of domesticated swans; ~ penne, a pipe or tube the size of a swan's quill; ~ whit, as white as a swan, pure white; ~ wing purse, a purse made from a swan's wing; (c) a swan used as food; -- also coll.; poding de ~ nekke, the name of a dish; (d) in conventional comparisons and prov. expressions; also in implied comparison [3rd quot.]; (e) a swan as symbol of a person or the devil; (f) coll. swan feathers or quills.

(a) A representation of a swan embroidered or painted on fabric; also, a heraldic representation of a swan; -- used coll.; (b) the constellation Cygnus; (c) swanes tonge, the common hemp nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit).

(a) In surnames; (b) in place names [see Smith PNElem.2.170]; also in names of inns and taverns.