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halcyon

[ hal-see-uhn ]
/ ˈhæl si ən /
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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.
happy; blissful; carefree: halcyon days of youth.
prosperous; wealthy: halcyon times of peace.
of or relating to the halcyon or kingfisher.
noun
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Origin of halcyon

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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use halcyon in a sentence

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
  1. a fortnight of calm weather during the winter solstice
  2. 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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