mute swan

noun

1. a commonly domesticated soundless white swan, Cygnus olor, of Europe and Asia.

mute swan

noun

1. a Eurasian swan, Cygnus olor, with a pure white plumage, an orange-red bill with a black base, and a curved neck Compare whistling swan

Word History and Origins

Origin of mute swan¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

The swan is a very silent bird in captivity, for this reason it is called the mute swan.

From Project Gutenberg