swan
swan
UK[swɒn]US[swɑːn]
n
a large, usually white, water bird with a long, graceful neck, that lives on or near water.
v
to travel or move about in a relaxed, confident, and often aimless way.
Etymology
the word 'swan' is a classic example of a simplex word, a tight germanic root that cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes in modern english. it descends directly from the old english 'swan', which is related to the old norse 'svanr' and the german 'schwan'. these all trace back to the proto-germanic 'swanaz', a term whose ultimate proto-indo-european origin is uncertain but is thought to be imitative, perhaps related to the bird's sound or its singing quality in myth. the verb sense, meaning to move gracefully and aimlessly, is a later metaphorical extension from the 19th century, inspired by the bird's serene and effortless gliding motion on water.
Analysis
n/a
Examples
a pair of swans were gliding across the surface of the lake.
she spent the afternoon swanning around the city, visiting art galleries and cafes.
the mute swan is a common sight in parks and waterways throughout the country.