halcyon
pronunciation
How to pronounce halcyon in British English:
UK [ˈhælsiən]
How to pronounce halcyon in American English:
US [ˈhælsiən]
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- Noun:
- a mythical bird said to breed at the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea and to have the power of calming the winds and waves
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- Adjective:
- idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity
- marked by peace and prosperity
Word Origin
- halcyon
- halcyon: [14] Halcyon days, originally ‘days of calm weather’, but now used figuratively for a ‘past period of happiness and success’, are literally ‘days of the kingfisher’. The expression comes from Greek alkuonídes hēmérai ‘kingfisher’s days’, a term used in the ancient world for a period of 14 days fine or calm weather around the winter solstice which was attributed to the magical influence of the kingfisher. The origin of Greek alkúon is not known, although it was from earliest times associated with Greek háls ‘sea’ and kúōn ‘conceiving’ (whence the spelling halcyon).
- halcyon (adj.)
- "calm, quiet, peaceful," 1540s, in halcyon dayes (translating Latin alcyonei dies, Greek alkyonides hemerai), 14 days of calm weather at the winter solstice, when a mythical bird (also identified with the kingfisher) was said to breed in a nest floating on calm seas. The name of this fabulous bird is attested in Middle English as alcioun (late 14c.). The name is from Latin halcyon, alcyon, from Greek halkyon, variant (perhaps a misspelling) of alkyon "kingfisher," a word of unknown origin. The explanation that this is from hals "sea; salt" (see halo-) + kyon "conceiving," present participle of kyein "to conceive," literally "to swell" (see cumulus) probably is ancient folk-etymology to explain a loan-word from a non-Indo-European language. Identified in mythology with Halcyone, daughter of Aeolus, who when widowed threw herself into the sea and became a kingfisher.
Example
- 1. I am owed and savor the halcyon times .
- 2. Modern yet inviting , the halcyon hotel wants to be more than a place to stay on holiday .
- 3. The natural beauty of lakes and mountains , numerous students , those who bring you is a halcyon sky .
- 4. They thought they would live happily ever after , but the halcyon days lasted less than four months .
- 5. The self-made author sighed : oh christ her halcyon days had gone forever .