a. poet. [Cf. MLG. swanewit, G. schwanenweiss, ON. svanhvítr (as a proper name).] As white as a swan; snow-white.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XXI. 215. Yf alle þe worlde were whit oþer swan-whit alle þynges.
1508. Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 243. Swan-quhit of hewis.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Mem. Mortalitie, II. xlix. To note An old Sir Tame-ass … swan-white to dote On Venus’ Dovelings.
1794. Burns, O Mally’s Meek, iii. Her yellow hair … Comes trinkling down her swan-white neck.
1823. Joanna Baillie, Poems, Ship’s Return, i. Thy swan-white sails exulting spread.
a. 1900. T. W. Rolleston, The Dead at Clonmacnois, v. Many a blue eye of Clan Colman the turf covers, Many a swan-white breast.
