halcyon
|hal-cy-on|
C1
/ˈhælsiən/
peaceful and calm
Etymology
Etymology Information
'halcyon' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'alkyon,' where 'hals' meant 'sea' and 'kuon' meant 'conceiving.'
Historical Evolution
'alkyon' transformed into the Latin word 'halcyon,' and eventually became the modern English word 'halcyon.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to a mythical bird, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'peaceful and calm.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a mythical bird said to breed in a nest floating at sea at the winter solstice, charming the wind and waves into calm.
The legend of the halcyon bird is a tale of tranquility.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/07/02 04:07