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.
rich; wealthy; prosperous: halcyon times of peace.
happy; joyful; carefree: halcyon days of youth.
of or relating to the halcyon or kingfisher.
noun
SYNONYMS FOR halcyon
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Origin of halcyon
1350–1400; <Latin <Greek halkyṓn, pseudo-etymological variant of alkyṓn kingfisher; replacing Middle English alceon, alicion<Latin alcyōn<Greek
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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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