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halcyon

IPA

Dictionary definition of halcyon

Characterized by a very happy and successful period in the past.
"His childhood memories were of halcyon days spent fishing with his grandfather."

Detailed meaning of halcyon

The word is often used to describe a time of tranquility and ease, free from disturbance or turmoil. It can also be used to describe a person or place that is calm and peaceful. For example, someone might describe a quiet, rural village as being a halcyon place. The word comes from Greek mythology, where it was used to describe a bird that was said to calm the winds and the waves during the winter solstice.

Example sentences containing halcyon

1. She misses the halcyon days before in the internet and cellphones intruded into our lives.
2. He missed the halcyon days when people left their front doors unlocked.
3. She missed the halcyon days before the technological revolution.
4. He missed the halcyon days before satellite navigation and online dating.
5. She fondly reminisced in the halcyon days of her youth.
6. The halcyon days of summer were filled with long, lazy days by the pool.

History and etymology of halcyon

The adjective 'halcyon' traces its etymological roots to Greek mythology. It is associated with the myth of the Halcyon birds, specifically the kingfisher. In Greek, the kingfisher is known as 'alkuōn,' and the myth tells of a period of calm and tranquility at sea during the nesting of these birds, which was believed to occur around the time of the winter solstice. This peaceful and idyllic period was called the 'halcyon days.' Over time, the term 'halcyon' came to be used metaphorically to describe any period characterized by great happiness, calm, and success in the past. Thus, the etymology of 'halcyon' reflects its origins in ancient Greek mythology and its association with a time of serene and blissful conditions.

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Further usage examples of halcyon

1. She longed to return to the halcyon days of her youth.
2. The small, peaceful town was a halcyon place to raise a family.
3. The halcyon atmosphere of the retreat center was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the city.
4. The couple looked back on their honeymoon as a halcyon time in their relationship.
5. She misses the halcyon days of red telephone boxes and hand-written letters.
6. The halcyon beauty of the lake was a sight to behold.
7. The halcyon sounds of the forest at night always lulled him to sleep.
8. She dreamed of living in a halcyon place where she could escape the stresses of the city.
9. The halcyon peace of the monastery was a welcome respite from the chaos of the world.
10. The halcyon days of the old neighborhood were long gone, replaced by crowded streets and noisy neighbors.
11. The halcyon nature of the garden was a source of constant joy for the old man.
12. The halcyon days of their youth were filled with laughter.
13. The company's halcyon years brought unprecedented growth.
14. In the halcyon era, peace prevailed among neighboring nations.
15. The halcyon summers of childhood were filled with adventures.
16. We often reminisce about the halcyon days of our friendship.
17. The artist's halcyon period produced masterpieces.
18. The halcyon atmosphere of the beach town drew vacationers.
19. The team's halcyon season resulted in a championship win.
20. The halcyon memories of their honeymoon lingered.
21. The city's halcyon past was celebrated in historical books.
22. The halcyon days of innocence gradually gave way to adulthood.
23. The garden was a symbol of the halcyon life they had built.
24. The halcyon years of economic growth benefited many.