[ˈhalsɪən], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful
(e.g: the halcyon days of the mid 1980s, when profits were soaring)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English (in the mythological sense): via Latin from Greek alkuōn ‘kingfisher’ (also halkuōn, by association with hals ‘sea’ and kuōn ‘conceiving’)

[ˈhalsɪən], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a mythical bird said by ancient writers to breed in a nest floating at sea at the winter solstice, charming the wind and waves into calm

- a tropical Asian and African kingfisher with brightly coloured plumage


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English (in the mythological sense): via Latin from Greek alkuōn ‘kingfisher’ (also halkuōn, by association with hals ‘sea’ and kuōn ‘conceiving’)