cygnet

[ sig-nit ]

noun

1. a young swan.

cygnet

/ ˈsɪɡnɪt /

noun

1. a young swan

Word History and Origins

Origin of cygnet¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English signet, from Latin cygnus, variant of cycnus, from Greek kýknos “swan”; -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of cygnet¹

C15 sygnett, from Old French cygne swan, from Latin cygnus, from Greek kuknos

Example Sentences

Last year's count only found 94 cygnets, a major decline in the swan population.

From BBC

Analysis of the GPS data shows that cygnets fly further to the southwest during autumn migration on colder days.

From Science Daily

The British monarch’s annual “swan upping” — a census of the fowl along a stretch of the River Thames — found a worrisome drop in cygnets from last year.

From New York Times

A historic royal census, known as "swan upping", has revealed a 40% drop in the number of cygnets on the River Thames, compared with last year.

From BBC

In his scarlet jacket, Mr Barber is in charge of a flotilla of small boats that glide up the River Thames, stopping to count, weigh, measure and check the well-being of young swans, called cygnets.

From BBC