Make Your Point: HALCYON

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pronounce HALCYON:

HAL see un

connect this word to others:

Used literally, the word halcyon is a bird. So are these other words:

1. Al_____ss: a sea bird, or a shameful burden.

2. Fl____ing: a baby bird, or someone who's new at something.

3. Car_____: a bird with red markings, or very important and basic.

4. Sk____k: a high-flying songbird, or to play around in a silly way.

(To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.)

definition:

The word "halcyon" traces back through Latin to a Greek word meaning "a kingfisher," a kind of bird.

(Source)

They appear in some Greek myths, like Ovid's Metamorphoses, where they're said to breed on nests floating on the sea during a 14-day period of total calm each year around the winter solstice, called "halcyon days." Ovid also tells a myth about a princess named Alcyone who becomes a widow and, in grief, flings herself into the sea; she and her slain husband turn into halcyons and live peacefully ever after.

So, for centuries in English, we've used the word "halcyon" for the birds—and to describe days, weeks, and other periods of time that are calm, tranquil, smooth, happy, or even successful in a way that seems rare and/or mythic.

grammatical bits:

Part of speech:

Adjective: "those halcyon days;" "these halcyon memories."

And a noun: "A halcyon flew by."

Other forms:

Just the plural, "halcyons."

how to use it:

The word "halcyon" is beautiful, positive, scholarly, and semi-common. Pick it when you want to sound mythic as you evoke nostalgia for the peace, happiness, and prosperity of the past.

We use it most often to talk about "halcyon days." You might talk about the halcyon days of your childhood or teenagehood. Or the halcyon days of certain things or activities: "the halcyon summer days of catching fireflies." Or the halcyon days when you could do those things: "the halcyon days when you could traipse barefoot through the grass, catching fireflies."

examples:

"[The S. S. United States], the last of the grand American ocean liners, launched in 1952. Its sleek, athletic design was practical yet chic, a splendid feat of American engineering in the halcyon days of postwar abundance, so remote to us now. "
— Charlotte Silver, New York Times, 3 March 2011

"What to make, then, of the existence of a musical about the invention of basketball? ... I can't stand musicals; I can't stand silly sentimentality about the halcyon past of a sport so alive in the present."
— Yago Colás, Salon, 16 December 2012

has this page helped you understand "halcyon"?

Awesome, I'm glad it helped!

Thanks for letting me know!
If you have any questions about this term, please message me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.

study it:

Explain the meaning of "halcyon" without saying "serene" or "tranquil."

try it out:

Fill in the blank: "The halcyon days of (something) are gone."

Example 1: "The halcyon days of filling up your gas tank for $13 are gone."

Example 2: "My kid is a preteen now, and her halcyon days of falling asleep to Frozen with a sippy cup of chocolate milk are gone."

before you review, play:

Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.

Our game for this month is "Spot the Sharper Image."

Which of the two items described below is a real one that you can order from the Sharper Image catalog, and which one did I invent? Scroll to the bottom to see which one is real!

Try this set today:

Item A: Beverage Dispensing Ski Poles. "Just unscrew the top of each pole to add up to 8 oz. of your favorite beverage or spirit. No need to take off your gloves."

Item B: Calming Heat Infrared Hula Hoop. "Choose from 3 levels of heat and 9 vibration modes for personalized comfort."

review this word:

1. A near opposite of HALCYON DAYS is

A. FAST TIMES.
B. TOUGH TIMES.
C. GOLDEN YEARS.

2. It won't surprise you that a drug named "Halcion" is supposed to help you _____.

A. lose weight
B. end heartburn
C. get good rest

a final word:

I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.

I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.

From my blog:
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A disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.

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