Halcyonidae
/ˌhæl.si.əˈnaɪ.diː/noun
A taxonomic family of birds commonly known as kingfishers, especially tree kingfishers.
Did you know?Greek legend claimed that the halcyon, identified with the kingfisher, nested on the sea and possessed the power to create calm weather during its nesting days.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἁλκυών (halkyṓn)
“Kingfisher; a bird associated with a legendary period of calm seas.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Ἁλκυόνη (Alkyónē)
“Alcyone, the mythological woman transformed into a halcyon or kingfisher.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
halcyon
“Kingfisher; also connected with the myth of calm weather at sea.”
16th Century
English
halcyon
“A kingfisher, and figuratively something calm, peaceful, or idyllic.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Halcyonidae
“A zoological family name formed from Halcyon, a genus of tree kingfishers, plus the taxonomic suffix -idae.”
Modern English
English
Halcyonidae
“The family of tree kingfishers and related kingfishers in modern bird classification.”