halcyon

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search
See also Halcyon

Contents

English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Latin halcyon (kingfisher), alcyon, from Ancient Greek ἀλκυών (alkuōn).

Pronunciation [edit]

Noun [edit]

halcyon (plural halcyons)

  1. In classical legends, a bird said to nest on the sea, thereby calming the waters; later usually identified with a type of kingfisher, hence (poetic) a kingfisher.
    • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.12:
      the Halcyon bird, or as some call it Alcedo or Kings-fisher, exceeds all mens conceit. [...] Gods decree hath been, that all the watrie wildernesse should be quiet and made calme, without raine, wind, or tempest, during the time the Halcyon sitteth and bringeth forth her young-ones [...].
    • 1665, John Dryden, The Indian Emperour, IV iv 132:
      Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be / As halcyons brooding on a winter sea.
    • c. 1880, Ambrose Bierce, On a Mountain:
      And, by the way, during those halcyon days (the halcyon was there, too, chattering above every creek, as he is all over the world) we fought another battle.
    • Dryden
      Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be / As halcyons brooding on a winter sea.
  2. A tropical kingfisher of the genus Halcyon, such as the sacred kingfisher Halcyon sancta of Australia.

Translations [edit]

Adjective [edit]

halcyon (comparative more halcyon, superlative most halcyon)

  1. Pertaining to the halcyon or kingfisher
  2. Calm, undisturbed, peaceful, serene.

Quotations [edit]

1787 1842 1919
ME « 15th c. 16th c. 17th c. 18th c. 19th c. 20th c. 21st c.

Synonyms [edit]

Derived terms [edit]

Translations [edit]

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

See also [edit]


Latin [edit]

halcyōn (kingfisher)

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Ancient Greek ἀλκυών (alkuōn, kingfisher).

Pronunciation [edit]

  • IPA: /ˈhal.kʏ.oːn/

Noun [edit]

halcyōn (genitive halcyonis); f, third declension

  1. The halcyon; kingfisher.

Inflection [edit]

Number Singular Plural
nominative halcyōn halcyonēs
genitive halcyonis halcyonum
dative halcyonī halcyonibus
accusative halcyonem halcyonēs
ablative halcyone halcyonibus
vocative halcyōn halcyonēs

Synonyms [edit]

Related terms [edit]