Halcyon
/ˈhæl.si.ən/noun
Peaceful, calm, and idyllic; also a name for a kingfisher bird.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek legend: the halcyon bird was said to nest on the sea and magically calm the waves during the “halcyon days” of winter.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
alkyōn
“A kingfisher; in myth, a bird linked to calm seas and nesting on the water.”
Late Latin
Latin
halcyon
“A kingfisher, borrowed from Greek.”
Middle English
English
halcyon
“A kingfisher or a legendary bird associated with calm weather.”
16th Century
English
halcyon days
“A period of calm weather, especially around the winter solstice.”
Modern English
English
halcyon
“Peaceful, happy, and idyllic; also the kingfisher.”
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