halcyon

[ hal-see-uhn ]
/ ˈhæl si ən /

adjective Also hal·cy·o·ni·an [hal-see-oh-nee-uhn] /ˌhæl siˈoʊ ni ən/, hal·cy·on·ic [hal-see-on-ik] /ˌhæl siˈɒn ɪk/.

calm; peaceful; tranquil: halcyon weather.
rich; wealthy; prosperous: halcyon times of peace.
happy; joyful; carefree: halcyon days of youth.
of or relating to the halcyon or kingfisher.

noun

Origin of halcyon

1350–1400; < Latin < Greek halkyṓn, pseudo-etymological variant of alkyṓn kingfisher; replacing Middle English alceon, alicion < Latin alcyōn < Greek

SYNONYMS FOR halcyon

1 serene, placid, pacific, untroubled.

Words nearby halcyon

halberdier, halberstadt, halberstam, halcinonide, halcion, halcyon, halcyone, haldane, haldane effect, haldimand, haldol

Example sentences from the Web for halcyonian

  • It was enough for him that he had found a "Halcyonian" to contrast with Wagner, the "Hyperborean."

    Musical Criticisms |Arthur Johnstone

British Dictionary definitions for halcyonian

halcyon
/ (ˈhælsɪən) /

adjective also: halcyonian (ˌhælsɪˈəʊnɪən), halcyonic (ˌhælsɪˈɒnɪk)

peaceful, gentle, and calm
happy and carefree

noun

Greek myth a fabulous bird associated with the winter solstice
a poetic name for the kingfisher
halcyon days
  1. a fortnight of calm weather during the winter solstice
  2. a period of peace and happiness

Word Origin for halcyon

C14: from Latin alcyon, from Greek alkuōn kingfisher, of uncertain origin