Part 1029

Swamp"y (?), a. Consisting of swamp; like a swamp; low, wet, and spongy; as, swampy land.

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. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the subfamily Cygninæ. 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.

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 (Zoöl.), a bird of India (Cygnopsis cygnoides) resembling both the swan and the goose. -- Swan shot, a large size of shot used in fowling.

Swang (?), obs. imp. of Swing.

Swang, n. [Cf. Swamp.] A swamp. [Prov. Eng.]

Swan"herd` (?), n. One who tends or marks swans; as, the royal swanherd of England.

Swan"-hop`ping (?), n. A corruption of Swan-upping. [Eng.] Encyc. Brit.

Swan"i*mote (?), n. (Eng. Forest Law) See Swainmote.

{ Swank"ie, Swank"y } (?), n. [Cf. G. schwank flexible, pliant.] An active and clever young fellow. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

Swan"like` (?), a. Resembling a swan.

Swan"mark` (?), n. A mark of ownership cut on the bill or swan. [Eng.] Encyc. Brit.

Swan"ner*y (?), n. A place where swans are bred. "The largest swannery in England." Encyc. Brit.

Swan"ny (?), a. Swanlike; as, a swanny glossiness of the neck. Richardson.

Swan"pan (?), n. [Cf. Schwanpan.] The Chinese abacus; a schwanpan. S. W. Williams.

{ Swan's"-down` (?), or Swans"-down` }, n. 1. The down, or fine, soft feathers, of the swan, used on various articles of dress.

2. A fine, soft, thick cloth of wool mixed with silk or cotton; a sort of twilled fustian, like moleskin.

Swan's-down cotton. See Cotton flannel, under Cotton.

Swan"skin` (?), n. 1. The act of a swan with the down or the feathers on.

2. A species of soft flannel, thick and warm.

Swan"-up`ping (?), n. A yearly expedition on the Thames to take up young swans and mark them, as by Companies of Dyers and Vintners; -- called also swan- hopping. [Eng.] Encyc. Brit.

Swap (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swapped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Swapping.] [OE. swappen to strike; cf. E. to strike a bargain; perh. akin to E. sweep. Cf. Swap a blow, Swap, v. i.] [Written also swop.] 1. To strike; -- with off. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] "Swap off his head!" Chaucer.

2. To exchange (usually two things of the same kind); to swop. [Colloq.] Miss Edgeworth.

Swap, v. i. [Cf. Swap, v. t.] 1. To fall or descend; to rush hastily or violently. C. Richardson (Dict.).

All suddenly she swapt adown to ground.

Chaucer.