noun
Archaic word for 'swan', now largely replaced by 白鳥 (はくちょう). Found in classical literature and poetry.
See also: 白鳥 (はくちょう)
古い和歌では「鵠」を「くぐい」と読んで白鳥を指すことがある。
In old waka poetry, 鵠 is read as くぐい and refers to a swan.
Modern standard word for 'swan'. 鵠 (くぐい) is an archaic synonym, now mostly poetic or historical.
The historical derivation is uncertain; the kanji 鵠 is conventionally associated with 'swan' in classical Chinese and Japanese.