swan maiden

English

Noun

swan maiden (plural swan maidens)

  1. (mythology, folklore) A woman able to shapeshift between human and swan forms.
    • 1883 June 16, The Academy, London, page 416, column 1:
      On the other hand, the kobolds, brownies, and other household sprites who are not merely benign, but helpful, if well treated; the elf-maids who marry mortals, the swan-maidens, and the like, bear the stamp of Teutonic fancy.
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