halcyon

[hal-see-uhn]

adjective

1. calm; peaceful; tranquil.

   halcyon weather.

   Synonyms: well-to-do, well-off, moneyed, rich, roaring, palmy, flourishing, joyous, joyful, golden, contented, windless, temperate, stormless, pleasant, mild, balmy, unruffled, still, serene, quiet, placid, pacific

2. happy; blissful; carefree.

   halcyon days of youth.

3. prosperous; wealthy.

   halcyon times of peace.

4. of or relating to the halcyon or kingfisher.

noun

1. a mythical bird, usually identified with the kingfisher, said to breed about the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea, and to have the power of charming winds and waves into calmness.

2. any of various kingfishers, especially of the genus Halcyon.

3. Classical Mythology.,  Halcyon, Alcyone.

halcyon

/ ˈhælsɪən /

adjective

1. peaceful, gentle, and calm

2. happy and carefree

noun

1. Greek myth a fabulous bird associated with the winter solstice

2. a poetic name for the kingfisher

3. 1. a fortnight of calm weather during the winter solstice

   2. a period of peace and happiness

Word History and Origins

Origin of halcyon¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin, from Greek halkyṓn, pseudo-etymological variant of alkyṓn “kingfisher”; replacing Middle English alceon, alicion, from Latin alcyōn, from Greek

Word History and Origins

Origin of halcyon¹

C14: from Latin alcyon, from Greek alkuōn kingfisher, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Twelve years later, those halcyon days of Welsh rugby - in which their then coach Warren Gatland was feted - are long gone.

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Alongside Spike's lessons in humanity, Boyle highlights a stagnant culture on the island, which is "not progressive, standing still... looking back to the halcyon days of England".

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Post those halcyon days, the brothers began delving into music together.

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Kennedy obsessively insists there was a halcyon time before modern medicine — and especially before vaccines — that Americans were "healthy."

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“But it's not like there was a halcyon time where home ownership was readily available for renters.”

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