What is "mute swan"

Mute \Mute\, a. [L. mutus; cf. Gr. my`ein to shut, Skr. m[=u]ta bound, m[=u]ka dumb: cf. OE. muet, fr. F. muet, a dim. of OF. mu, L. mutus.]

1. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.

   All the heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was in heaven.
   --Milton.

   Note: In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead directly, or will not put himself on trial.

2. Incapable of speaking; dumb.
   --Dryden.

3. Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. See 5th Mute, 2.

4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a metal.

   Mute swan (Zo["o]l.), a European wild white swan ( Cygnus olor syn. Cygnus gibbus), which produces no loud notes, in distinction from the Trumpeter swan.

   Syn: Silent; dumb; speechless.

   Usage: Mute, Silent, Dumb. One is silent who does not speak; one is dumb who can not, for want of the proper organs; as, a dumb beast, etc.; and hence, figuratively, we speak of a person as struck dumb with astonishment, etc. One is mute who is held back from speaking by some special cause; as, he was mute through fear; mute astonishment, etc. Such is the case with most of those who never speak from childhood; they are not ordinarily dumb, but mute because they are deaf, and therefore never learn to talk; and hence their more appropriate name is deaf-mutes.

   They spake not a word; But, like dumb statues, or breathing stones, Gazed each on other.
   --Shak.

   All sat mute, Pondering the danger with deep thoughts.
   --Milton.

n. a white swan, ''(l mul Cygnus olor)'', found throughout Europe and much of Asia, having a distinctive orange bill with a black tip; it is not actually mute, but is not very vocal.

n. soundless Eurasian swan; commonly domesticated [syn: Cygnus olor]

The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Europe and Asia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. Measuring in length, this large swan is wholly white in plumage with an orange beak bordered with black. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob atop the beak, which is larger in males.