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HALCYON
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
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:
Hypernyms ("halcyon" is a kind of...):
mythical being (an imaginary being of myth or fable)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A large kingfisher widely distributed in warmer parts of the Old World
Synonyms:
genus Halcyon; Halcyon
Classified under:
Nouns denoting animals
Hypernyms ("Halcyon" is a kind of...):
bird genus (a genus of birds)
Holonyms ("Halcyon" is a member of...):
Alcedinidae; family Alcedinidae (kingfishers)
Sense 3
Meaning:
(Greek mythology) a woman who was turned into a kingfisher
Synonyms:
Alcyone; Halcyon
Classified under:
Instance hypernyms:
mythical being (an imaginary being of myth or fable)
Domain category:
Greek mythology (the mythology of the ancient Greeks)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Marked by peace and prosperity
Example:
the halcyon days of the clipper trade
Synonyms:
golden; halcyon; prosperous
Classified under:
Similar:
happy (enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity
Example:
a halcyon atmosphere
Classified under:
Similar:
peaceable; peaceful (not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war)
