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4 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
Hooper \Hoop"er\, n. (Zo["o]l.) [So called from its note.]
The European whistling, or wild, swan ({Olor cygnus); --
called also hooper swan, whooping swan, and elk.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
Swan \Swan\ (sw[o^]n), n. [AS. swan; akin to D. zwaan, OHG.
swan, G. schwan, Icel. svanr, Sw. svan, Dan. svane; and
perhaps to E. sound something audible.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large aquatic
birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of
the subfamily Cygnin[ae]. 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.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The European white, or mute, swan ({Cygnus gibbus),
which is most commonly domesticated, bends its neck in
an S-shaped curve. The whistling, or trumpeting, swans
of the genus Olor do not bend the neck in an S-shaped
curve, and are noted for their loud and sonorous cry,
due to complex convolutions of the windpipe. To this
genus belong the European whooper, or whistling swan
({Olor cygnus), the American whistling swan ({O.
Columbianus), and the trumpeter swan ({O.
buccinator). The Australian black swan ({Chenopis
atrata) is dull black with white on the wings, and has
the bill carmine, crossed with a white band. It is a
very graceful species and is often domesticated. The
South American black-necked swan ({Sthenelides
melancorypha) is a very beautiful and graceful
species, entirely white, except the head and neck,
which are dark velvety seal-brown. Its bill has a
double bright rose-colored knob.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted
for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of
Avon.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Astron.) The constellation Cygnus.
[1913 Webster]
Swan goose (Zo["o]l.), a bird of India ({Cygnopsis
cygnoides) resembling both the swan and the goose.
Swan shot, a large size of shot used in fowling.
[1913 Webster]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]
Swan \Swan\, n. [AS. swan; akin to D. zwaan, OHG. swan, G.
schwan, Icel. svanr, Sw. svan, Dan. svane; and perhaps to E.
sound something audible.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large aquatic
birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of
the subfamily Cygnin[ae]. 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.
Note: The European white, or mute, swan ({Cygnus gibbus),
which is most commonly domesticated, bends its neck in
an S-shaped curve. The whistling, or trumpeting, swans
of the genus Olor do not bend the neck in an S-shaped
curve, and are noted for their loud and sonorous cry,
due to complex convolutions of the windpipe. To this
genus belong the European whooper, or whistling swan
({Olor cygnus), the American whistling swan ({O.
Columbianus), and the trumpeter swan ({O.
buccinator). The Australian black swan ({Chenopis
atrata) is dull black with white on the wings, and has
the bill carmine, crossed with a white band. It is a
very graceful species and is often domesticated. The
South American black-necked swan ({Sthenelides
melancorypha) is a very beautiful and graceful
species, entirely white, except the head and neck,
which are dark velvety seal-brown. Its bill has a
double bright rose-colored knob.
2. Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted
for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of
Avon.
3. (Astron.) The constellation Cygnus.
Swan goose (Zo["o]l.), a bird of India ({Cygnopsis
cygnoides) resembling both the swan and the goose.
Swan shot, a large size of shot used in fowling.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]
Hooper \Hoop"er\, n. (Zo["o]l.) [So called from its note.]
The European whistling, or wild, swan ({Olor cygnus); --
called also hooper swan, whooping swan, and elk.
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