Sekirov Dictionary

halcyon

/ˈhælsi.ən/

noun 3
adjective 2
forms 3
phrases 1

noun3

•
(literary) A kingfisher whose nesting by the sea was said, in classical mythology, to cause the Gods to restrain the wind and waves.
- Amidst our Arms as quiet you shall be / As Halcyons Brooding on a Winter Sea. — 1665
•
(literary) The dead body of such a bird, said in Tudor times to act as a weather vane when hung from a beam.
- But novv hovv stands the vvind? / Into vvhat corner peeres my Halcions bill? — 1589
A tropical kingfisher of the genus Halcyon, such as the sacred kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) of Australia.

adjective2

•
Pertaining to the halcyon or kingfisher.
- Renege; affirm, and turn their halcyon beaks / With every gale and vary of their masters, — 1603
•
(figurative) Calm, undisturbed, peaceful, serene.
- 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. — 1787

forms

halcyons · more halcyon · most halcyon

Phrases with halcyon

halcyon days
A period of calm, usually in the past and often nostalgic.

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