HALCYON
Dictionary entry overview: What does Halcyon mean?
• HALCYON (noun)
The noun HALCYON has 3 senses:
1. (Greek mythology) a woman who was turned into a kingfisher
2. a large kingfisher widely distributed in warmer parts of the Old World
3. a mythical bird said to breed at the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea and to have the power of calming the winds and waves
Familiarity information: HALCYON used as a noun is uncommon.
• HALCYON (adjective)
The adjective HALCYON has 2 senses:
1. idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity
2. marked by peace and prosperity
Familiarity information: HALCYON used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• HALCYON (noun)
Meaning:
(Greek mythology) a woman who was turned into a kingfisher
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Synonyms:
Alcyone; Halcyon
Instance hypernyms:
mythical being (an imaginary being of myth or fable)
Domain category:
Greek mythology (the mythology of the ancient Greeks)
Meaning:
A large kingfisher widely distributed in warmer parts of the Old World
Classified under:
Nouns denoting animals
Synonyms:
genus Halcyon; Halcyon
Hypernyms ("Halcyon" is a kind of...):
bird genus (a genus of birds)
Holonyms ("Halcyon" is a member of...):
Alcedinidae; family Alcedinidae (kingfishers)
Meaning:
A mythical bird said to breed at the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea and to have the power of calming the winds and waves
Classified under:
Nouns denoting animals
Hypernyms ("halcyon" is a kind of...):
mythical being (an imaginary being of myth or fable)
• HALCYON (adjective)
Meaning:
Idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity
Context example:
a halcyon atmosphere
Similar:
peaceful (not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war)
Meaning:
Marked by peace and prosperity
Synonyms:
golden; halcyon; prosperous
Context examples:
a golden era / the halcyon days of the clipper trade
Similar:
happy (enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure or good fortune)
