halcyon

== English == === Alternative forms === alcyon (archaic) === Etymology === Inherited from Middle English Alceoun, from Latin halcyōn, alcyōn (“kingfisher”), from Ancient Greek ἀλκυών (alkuṓn). === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈhælsi.ən/ (obsolete) IPA(key): /ˈhælʃən/, /ˈhælʃi.ən/ === Noun === halcyon (plural halcyons) (poetic) A kingfisher whose nesting by the sea was said, in classical mythology, to cause the Gods to restrain the wind and waves. The dead body of such a bird, said in Tudor times to act as a weather vane when hung from a beam. A tropical kingfisher of the genus Halcyon, such as the sacred kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) of Australia. ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === halcyon (comparative more halcyon, superlative most halcyon) Pertaining to the halcyon or kingfisher. (figurative) Calm, undisturbed, peaceful, serene. Synonyms: at peace, blissful, calm, peaceful, prelapsarian, relaxed, serene; see also Thesaurus:quiet ==== Derived terms ==== halcyon days ==== Related terms ==== Alcyone ==== Translations ==== ==== References ==== == Latin == === Alternative forms === alcyōn === Etymology === From Ancient Greek ἀλκυών (alkuṓn, “kingfisher”). === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ˈhaɫ.ky.oːn] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ˈal̠ʲ.t͡ʃi.on] === Noun === halcyōn f (genitive halcyonis); third declension The halcyon; kingfisher. ==== Declension ==== Third-declension noun. ==== Synonyms ==== (kingfisher, halcyon): alcēdō ==== Related terms ==== alcēdō Alcyonē