swan-upping

American  

[swon-uhp-ing] / ˈswɒnˌʌp ɪŋ /

noun

British.

1. the taking up of young swans to mark them with nicks on the beak for identification.

2. an annual expedition for this purpose on the Thames.

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swan-upping British  

noun

1. the practice or action of marking nicks in swans' beaks as a sign of ownership

2. the annual swan-upping of royal cygnets on the River Thames

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Etymology

Origin of swan-upping

1800–10; swan ¹ + upping ( up + -ing ¹ )

Example Sentences

In 2009 the Alaska became a Royal Barge for the day when the Queen went aboard to watch a swan-upping ceremony.

From BBC • May 23, 2012

Upping, up′ing, n. the same as swan-upping or -marking.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various