halcyon

1 of 2

adjective

hal·​cy·​on ˈhal-sē-ən 

1

a

: characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity : golden

—often used to describe an idyllic time in the past that is remembered as better than today

the halcyon days of youth

Classics Illustrated have become pricey nostalgia items for those who grew up in the supposedly halcyon years after World War II.

—Donna Richardson

In those halcyon days of the free trade, the fixed price for carrying a box of tea or bale of tobacco from the coast of Galloway to Edinburgh was fifteen shillings …

—Sir Walter Scott

b

: calm, peaceful

a halcyon atmosphere

c

: prosperous, affluent

2

: of or relating to the halcyon (see halcyon entry 2) or its nesting period

halcyon

2 of 2

noun

1

: a bird identified with the kingfisher and held in ancient legend to nest at sea about the time of the winter solstice and to calm the waves during incubation

2

: kingfisher

Did you know?

Halcyon has drifted along contentedly in English for centuries, but it hatched from a tumultuous story. According to Greek mythology, Alkyone, the daughter of the god of the winds, became so distraught over her husband Ceyx’s death at sea that she threw herself into the ocean to join him. The gods were moved by the couple’s love, and took pity on them by turning them into halcyon birds, a bird identified with the kingfisher. (Kingfishers are known for plunging into water after prey.) According to the legend, the birds built their nests on the sea, which so charmed Alkyone’s father that he created a period of unusual calm that lasted until the birds' eggs hatched. Our word halcyon reflects the story in multiple ways. When halcyon was first used in English in the 14th century it was as a noun referring to the mythical bird, and later to actual kingfishers as well. Adjective use developed in the 16th century and now most often evokes those calm waters—the word typically describes an idyllic time in the past.

Synonyms

Adjective

• calm
• hushed
• lown [dialect]
• peaceful
• placid
• quiet
• serene
• still
• stilly
• tranquil
• untroubled

Examples of halcyon in a Sentence

Adjective

a halcyon era following the American Civil War

during those early halcyon years the company's potential for growth seemed unlimited

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For young families today, those halcyon days are over. —Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024

Another word for Richard E. Grant here, whose Peter hijacks his interview to bring up old anecdotes from his halcyon theaterdays. —Jack King, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024

Noun

The goal isn’t some halcyon, all-forgiving unity between MAGA World and everyone else; too much damage has been done for that. —Whitney Phillips, Wired, 24 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English alceon, from Latin halcyon, from Greek alkyōn, halkyōn

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing halcyon

• halcyon days

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Kids Definition

halcyon

1 of 2 noun

hal·​cy·​on ˈhal-sē-ən 

1

: a bird identified with the kingfisher and believed in ancient legend to nest at sea in December and calm the waves

2

: kingfisher

halcyon

2 of 2 adjective

: calm entry 3 sense 2, peaceful

halcyon days

the halcyon years of his childhood

Etymology

Noun

Middle English alceon "kingfisher," from Latin halcyon (same meaning), from Greek halkyōn "legendary bird that builds a nest at sea"

Word Origin

According to ancient legend, fourteen days of good weather occurred every year around December 22. This time of clear skies and calm seas was thought to be the result of a magical bird's concern for her nest. The legend explained that the female kingfisher built a floating nest on the sea during this period. She calmed the waves and winds to keep her nest safe. The Greek name for the kingfisher was halkyōn. English borrowed the Latin spelling of the bird's name, and today we call any quiet, peaceful period halcyon days.