halcyon

[ hal-see-uhn ]

adjective

1. calm; peaceful; tranquil:

   halcyon weather.

   Synonyms: well-to-do, well-off, moneyed, rich, roaring, palmy, flourishing, joyous, joyful, golden, contented, windless, temperate, stormless, pleasant, mild, balmy, unruffled, still, serene, quiet, placid, pacific

2. happy; blissful; carefree:

   halcyon days of youth.

3. prosperous; wealthy:

   halcyon times of peace.

4. of or relating to the halcyon or kingfisher.

noun

1. a mythical bird, usually identified with the kingfisher, said to breed about the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea, and to have the power of charming winds and waves into calmness.
2. any of various kingfishers, especially of the genus Halcyon.
3. Halcyon, Classical Mythology. Alcyone ( def 2 ).

halcyon

/ ˈhælsɪən /

adjective

1. peaceful, gentle, and calm
2. happy and carefree

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of halcyon¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin, from Greek halkyṓn, pseudo-etymological variant of alkyṓn “kingfisher”; replacing Middle English alceon, alicion, from Latin alcyōn, from Greek

Word History and Origins

Origin of halcyon¹

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

Example Sentences

But that would require Scotland winning consecutive games for the first time since the halcyon days of those early Euro 2024 qualifiers last year.

From BBC

The halcyon days of the mid-2000s ushered in “High School Musical,” and the reach of “Hannah Montana” permeated pop culture beyond the tween audience it targeted.

From Los Angeles Times

My thinking was, if we set “Starfleet Academy” in the halcyon days of the Federation where everything was fine, it’s not going to speak to what kids are going through right now.

From Los Angeles Times

Let us return to the halcyon days of July, when a clever, contagious portmanteau seemed to sum up the entire movie season.

From Los Angeles Times

It was an all too brief halcyon period.

From New York Times