halcyon
[ hal-see-uhn ]
/ ˈhæl si ən /
adjective Also hal·cy·o·ni·an [hal-see-oh-nee-uhn] /ˌhæl siˈoʊ ni ən/, hal·cy·on·ic [hal-see-on-ik] /ˌhæl siˈɒn ɪk/.
calm; peaceful; tranquil: halcyon weather.
rich; wealthy; prosperous: halcyon times of peace.
happy; joyful; carefree: halcyon days of youth.
of or relating to the halcyon or kingfisher.
noun
Nearby words
Origin of halcyon
1350–1400; < Latin < Greek halkyṓn, pseudo-etymological variant of alkyṓn kingfisher; replacing Middle English alceon, alicion < Latin alcyōn < Greek
SYNONYMS FOR halcyon
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for halcyon
British Dictionary definitions for halcyon
halcyon
/ (ˈhælsɪən) /
adjective also: halcyonian (ˌhælsɪˈəʊnɪən), halcyonic (ˌhælsɪˈɒnɪk)
peaceful, gentle, and calm
happy and carefree
noun
Greek myth a fabulous bird associated with the winter solstice
a poetic name for the kingfisher
halcyon days
- a fortnight of calm weather during the winter solstice
- a period of peace and happiness
Word Origin for halcyon
C14: from Latin alcyon, from Greek alkuōn kingfisher, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for halcyon
halcyon
1540s, in halcyon dayes (Latin alcyonei dies, Greek alkyonides hemerai), 14 days of calm weather at the winter solstice, when a mythical bird (identified with the kingfisher) was said to breed in a nest floating on calm seas. From halcyon (n.), late 14c., from Latin halcyon, from Greek halkyon, variant (perhaps a misspelling) of alkyon "kingfisher," from hals "sea, salt" (see halo-) + kyon "conceiving," present participle of kyein "to conceive," literally "to swell," from PIE root *keue- "to swell." Identified in mythology with Halcyone, daughter of Aeolus, who when widowed threw herself into the sea and became a kingfisher.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper