halcyon

From Wiktionary

Jump to: navigation, search
See also Halcyon
WOTD - 2 May 2006    

Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin halcyon, alcyon < Ancient Greek ἀλκυών (alkuōn)

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
halcyon

Plural
halcyons

halcyon (plural halcyons)

  1. in classical legends, a bird said to nest on the sea and to calm the waters to make this possible.
    • undatedJohn Dryden, (source?)
      Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be As halcyons brooding on a winter sea.
  2. (poetic) a kingfisher
    • c.1880Ambrose 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.
  3. (zoology) A tropical kingfisher of the genus Halcyon, such as the sacred kingfisher Halcyon sancta of Australia.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Adjective

halcyon (comparative more halcyon, superlative most halcyon)

Positive
halcyon

Comparative
more halcyon

Superlative
most halcyon

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

[edit] Quotations

1787 1919
ME: [[{{{enm}}}]] « 15th c. 16th c. 17th c. 18th c. 19th c. 20th c. 21st c.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also


[edit] Latin

[edit] Alternative spellings

[edit] Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀλκυών (alkuōn)

[edit] Pronunciation

  • IPA: /haːlˈkʏ.ɔn/

[edit] Noun

halcyon (genitive halcyinis); f., third declension

  1. kingfisher

[edit] Related terms

Personal tools