Definition

1. Noun:
   • The soft, fine feathers from a swan: This refers specifically to the delicate, insulating under-plumage of a swan, historically prized for its softness and warmth.
   • A very soft, woolen fabric: This refers to a type of lightweight, napped woolen cloth, known for its exceptional softness and smooth texture.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Feathers):
  • The pillow was stuffed with the finest swan's down.
  • The quilt, filled with swan's down, was incredibly light and warm.
• Noun (Fabric):
  • The baby's blanket was made of soft swan's down.
  • She wore a delicate shawl of swan's down.

Advanced Usage

• Used as a standard of comparison for softness: The term is often used metaphorically to describe something as being exceptionally soft.
  • Her cheek was as soft as swan's down.

Variants and Related Words

• Down (noun): The general term for the soft, fine feathers from birds, used for insulation.
• Swansdown (noun): An alternative, often single-word spelling for the fabric meaning.

Synonyms

• For feathers: Plume, underfeather.
• For fabric: Flannel, cashmere (though different materials, they share the quality of softness).

Related Idioms

• "(as) soft as swan's down": A simile used to emphasize extreme softness.
  • The kitten's fur was as soft as swan's down.

Noun

1. down of the swan
2. soft woolen fabric used especially for baby clothes