also: こう
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)
In classical texts, 鵠 is read as こく and refers to a swan.
Used in the compound 鵠的 (こくてき) meaning 'bullseye' or 'target center'. Rare standalone use.
The arrow hit the bullseye accurately.
Rare kanji for 'swan'; usually written in kana or replaced by 白鳥 (はくちょう).
Kana spelling for the swan sense, avoiding the rare kanji.
Alternate reading for the swan sense; less common than こく.
The kanji 鵠 is a Chinese character for swan. The readings こく and こう are Sino-Japanese. The bullseye sense likely comes from the swan's white color contrasting with a target center.