gwan

See also: gwa·n

English

Etymology 1

From various English dialects, notably Gullah.

Interjection

gwan

  1. (nonstandard) Pronunciation spelling of going.
    I need to get to gwan.
  2. (nonstandard) Pronunciation spelling of go on.
    • 1952, Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, Penguin Books (2014), page 199:
      “Aw, gwan, you slave driver,” the boy said, dashing from the room.
  3. (nonstandard) Pronunciation spelling of going on.

Etymology 2

Blend of goose +‎ swan

Noun

gwan (plural gwans)

  1. (neologism, rare) A hybrid between a goose and a swan, especially the offspring of a gander (male goose) and a pen (female swan).
    Synonym: swoose

Anagrams

Breton

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Adjective

gwan

  1. weak

Welsh

Etymology

Proto-Celtic *wannos. Cognate with Breton gwan, Irish fann.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ɡwan/

Adjective

gwan (feminine singular gwan, plural gweinion, equative gwanned, comparative gwannach, superlative gwannaf)

  1. weak

Derived terms
  • gwanhau (“to weaken; to attenuate; to dilute”)
  • gwanychu (“to weaken; to attenuate; to dilute”)
  • gwendid (“weakness”)

Mutation
Welsh mutation
radical soft nasal aspirate
gwan wan ngwan unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References
  • R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “gwan”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
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