different between cygnine vs swanlike

English

Etymology 1

From Latin cygnus (“swan”), with English -ine.

Adjective

cygnine (comparative more cygnine, superlative most cygnine)

1. (zoology) Being of the genus Cygnus (swan), within subfamily Anserinae of the family Anatidae, though sometimes considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae.
   • 1869, Elliott Coues, On the Classification of Water Birds, Merrihew & Son (1870), page 26:

     The genus Choristopus, Eyton, apparently Anserine rather than Cygnine, is said to possess this character […]

2. Of, concerning, pertaining to, resembling, or having the characteristics of a swan or swans.
   • 1915, in Zoologische Jahrbücher: Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und […] , volume 38,^[2] page 44:

     On the whole, then, the bones of the pectoral arch in Dendrocygna — if we may judge from the two North American species of the genus — are more anatine than they are either anserine or cygnine.

   • 1949, G. L. Hendrickson, Classical Philology, Vol. 44, No. 1, page 30 alternate

     ...scarcely a translator can be found who conveys any other impression than that Horace becomes a swan before our eyes. One almost wonders in what cygnine dialect the rest of the poem was spoken.

Synonyms

• (of or pertaining to swans): olorine

Related terms

• cygnet
• cygnicide
• dendrocygnid

See also

• anatine
• anserine

Etymology 2

From the Swan River, in Western Australia where the toxic plants were discovered

Noun

cygnine (uncountable)

1. (dated) An alkaloid from plants of genus Gastrolobium, found in Australia, principally Western Australia, highly toxic to introduced animals.

See also

• monofluoroacetic acid
• fluoroacetate

English

Etymology

From swan +? -like.

Adjective

swanlike (comparative more swanlike, superlative most swanlike)

1. Similar to a swan or a characteristic of it, especially in elegance or grace

   a swanlike curve

   swanlike beauty

2. (figuratively) Beautiful like a swan

Quotations

• 1886, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust, Act III, translated by John Anster, p. 174

  Ah ! That to us it may not also be,

  Instead of promised rescue,

  Augury but of Ruin,

  -To us, to us, the swanlike [transl. Schwangleichen],

  With long white necks, beautiful as the swan !-

  Ruin to Us and Her, our Queen and Mistress,

  The Daughter of the Swan !

Translations

See also

• cygnine

Adverb

swanlike (not comparable)

1. In a swanlike way
2. (figuratively) Beautifully like a swan

Translations