noun
halcyon
A kingfisher, especially in poetic language.
The poet called the kingfisher a halcyon.
Etymology
The Greek word names the kingfisher. The poetic English noun preserves the bird sense that also underlies legends of calm weather associated with its nesting.
More examples
- A halcyon flashed above the water in the verse.
- The old illustration depicts a halcyon on a branch.
- The poem’s halcyon dives toward the stream.
Forms
halcyon · halcyons
Similar words
- kingfisher
- Kingfisher is the ordinary bird name; halcyon is a poetic or historical alternative.