鵠こく

noun

swan

Literary or archaic term for swan; in modern Japanese, 白鳥 (はくちょう) is the standard word. The reading こく is more common than こう.

See also: 白鳥 (はくちょう)

• 古こ典てんでは「鵠こく」を「こく」と読よみ、白はく鳥ちょうを指さす。

  In classical texts, 鵠 is read as こく and refers to a swan.

noun

bullseye

Used in the compound 鵠的 (こくてき) meaning 'bullseye' or 'target center'. Rare standalone use.

• 矢やは鵠こくを正せい確かくに射い抜ぬいた。

  The arrow hit the bullseye accurately.