halcyon

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Adjective 1.4.1 Quotations 1.4.2 Synonyms 1.4.3 Derived terms 1.4.4 Translations 1.4.5 See also 2 Latin 2.1 Alternative spellings 2.2 Etymology 2.3 Pronunciation 2.4 Noun 2.4.1 Inflection 2.4.2 Synonyms 2.4.3 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin halcyon (“‘kingfisher’”), alcyon < Ancient Greek ἀλκυών (alkuōn).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /'hælsɪən/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

halcyon (plural halcyons)

1. In classical legends, a bird said to nest on the sea and to calm the waters to make this possible.
   • 1665, John Dryden, The Indian Emperour, IV iv 132

     Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be As halcyons brooding on a winter sea.

2. (poetic) a kingfisher
   • 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.

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)

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.

• 1787 — Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Papers No. 30

  Reflections of this kind may have trifling weight with men who hope to see realized in America the halcyon scenes of the poetic or fabulous age.

• (undated)— Thomas de Quincey, (source?)

  • Deep, halcyon repose.

• 1919 — H.P. Lovecraft, The City

  I had wander’d in rapture beneath them, and bask’d in the Halcyon clime.

[edit] Synonyms

• (calm, serene): at peace, blissful, calm, peaceful, relaxed, serene

[edit] Derived terms

• halcyon days

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• Alcyone

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[edit] Latin

[edit] Alternative spellings

• alcyōn

[edit] Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀλκυών (alkuōn), “‘kingfisher’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /haːlˈkʏ.ɔn/

[edit] Noun

halcyōn (genitive halcyonis); f, third declension

1. The halcyon; kingfisher.

[edit] Inflection

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

[edit] Synonyms

• (kingfisher, halcyon): alcēdō

[edit] Related terms

• alcēdō
• Alcyone