Alcedine
/ˈæl.sɪ.daɪn/noun
Relating to or resembling a kingfisher.
Did you know?The related word “halcyon” comes from the mythological Alcyone, whose transformation into a kingfisher was associated with the magically calm “halcyon days” around the winter solstice.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀλκυών (alkuṓn)
“Kingfisher; also the bird associated with the myth of Alcyone.”
Classical Latin
Latin
alcyon
“Kingfisher, borrowed from Greek.”
Classical Latin
Latin
alcedo
“Kingfisher; a variant form that developed through alteration of the Greek-derived word.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Alcedine
“Pertaining to the kingfisher family or group, based on Alcedo, the taxonomic genus name.”
Modern English
English
alcedine
“Relating to or resembling a kingfisher.”