Crossword clues for halcyon
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Halcyon \Hal"cy*on\ (h[a^]l"s[i^]*[o^]n), n. [L. halcyon, alcyon, Gr. "alkyw`n, 'alkyw`n: cf. F. halcyon.] (Zo["o]l.) A kingfisher. By modern ornithologists restricted to a genus including a limited number of species having omnivorous habits, as the sacred kingfisher ( Halcyon sancta) of Australia.
Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be
As halcyons brooding on a winter sea.
--Dryden.
Halcyon \Hal"cy*on\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, the halcyon, which was anciently said to lay her eggs in nests on or near the sea during the calm weather about the winter solstice.
Hence: Calm; quiet; peaceful; undisturbed; happy. ``Deep, halcyon repose.''
--De Quincy.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1540s, in halcyon dayes (Latin alcyonei dies, Greek alkyonides hemerai), 14 days of calm weather at the winter solstice, when a mythical bird (identified with the kingfisher) was said to breed in a nest floating on calm seas. From halcyon (n.), late 14c., from Latin halcyon, from Greek halkyon, variant (perhaps a misspelling) of alkyon "kingfisher," from hals "sea, salt" (see halo-) + kyon "conceiving," present participle of kyein "to conceive," literally "to swell," from PIE root *keue- "to swell." Identified in mythology with Halcyone, daughter of Aeolus, who when widowed threw herself into the sea and became a kingfisher.
Wiktionary
a. 1 Pertaining to the halcyon or kingfisher 2 calm, undisturbed, peaceful, serene. n. 1 In classical legends, a bird said to nest on the sea, thereby calming the waters; later usually identified with a type of kingfisher, hence (context poetic English) a kingfisher. 2 A tropical kingfisher of the genus ''Halcyon'', such as the sacred kingfisher ''(w: Halcyon sancta)'' of Australia.
WordNet
adj. idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity; "a halcyon atmosphere"
marked by peace and prosperity; "a golden era"; "the halcyon days of the clipper trade" [syn: golden, prosperous]
n. (Greek mythology) a woman who was turned into a kingfisher [syn: Alcyone]
a large kingfisher widely distributed in warmer parts of the Old World [syn: genus Halcyon]
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
Wikipedia
Halcyon is a name originally derived from Alcyone of Greek mythology and may refer to:
The Halcyon is a home video game console by RDI Video Systems. The system was planned to be released in January 1985 with initial retail price for the system was US$2500. Fewer than a dozen units are known to exist and it is not generally believed that the system ever made it to retail. The design featured a laserdisc player and attached computer, each the size of an early-model VCR. Of the six games planned only two games were completed: Thayer's Quest and NFL Football LA Raiders vs SD Chargers. RDI Video Systems claimed that the system would be entirely voice-activated, and would have an artificial intelligence on par with HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
"Halcyon" is a song written and performed by Orbital, dedicated to the Hartnolls' mother, who was addicted to the tranquiliser Halcion ( Triazolam) for many years. The song features two samples from earlier international hit singles. The first sample is a backmasked vocal sample by Kirsty Hawkshaw from " It's a Fine Day" by Opus III (1992). Ed Barton, the composer of "It's a Fine Day", receives a co-writing credit for the track. The second is a vocal harmonies sample in the song " Leave It" from the 1983 album 90125 by the progressive rock band Yes. There is no co-writing credit for the Yes sample.
This original form of Halcyon is relatively uncommon; it first appeared on the Radiccio EP, and was only in the U.S. release as a single under its own name. It did not appear on a full-length album until the compilation Work 1989-2002, and then only in its shorter "single edit".
On Orbital's second eponymous album the track "Halcyon + on + on" appears, a slightly more upbeat and melodic remix of the original song. In contrast to the original, the remix is far more widely known, and has been featured on several movie soundtracks (most notably Mortal Kombat, Hackers, CKY2K and Mean Girls). The title of the remix is inspired by a contemporary advertising slogan used by the Ariston washing machine company ("Ariston + on + on"). "Halcyon + on + on" is somewhat shorter than the original, at 9 minutes and 27 seconds long.
Halcyon is an indie role-playing game, independently published by Neuwerld Studios among two editions. The Player Codex was released in 2008 in softcover format, replaced in 2010 by the illustrated Core Rulebook in hardcover format.
Halcyon (Best of) is a compilation album by the British electronica duo Orbital featuring a selection of singles from their career together, it was released in 2005.
"Halcyon" is the fourth single by British alternative dance band Delphic, and is the sixth track on their debut album Acolyte. The single reached #143 in the UK singles chart.
Halcyon, (Italian: Alcyone) is the title of a collection of 88 poems by Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, written between 1899 and 1903, and published in 1903. It was intended as the third volume of a seven-book work called Laudi del cielo, del mare, della terra e degli eroi (Odes to the sky, to the sea, to the earth and to the heroes) which was subsequently interrupted in 1912 with only four volumes published: Maia, Elettra, Halcyon, and Merope.
Halcyon is a genus of the tree kingfishers, near passerine birds in the subfamily Halcyoninae.
The following is the list of species:
- Ruddy kingfisher, Halcyon coromanda
- Chocolate-backed kingfisher, Halcyon badia
- White-throated kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
- Grey-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
- Black-capped kingfisher, Halcyon pileata
- Javan kingfisher, Halcyon cyanoventris
- Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
- Mangrove kingfisher, Halcyon senegaloides
- Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
- Brown-hooded kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
- Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
However, other sources, including Fry & Fry, lump the genera Pelargopsis, Syma and Todirhamphus into Halcyon to make a much larger grouping.
Halcyon is a short dialogue with the distinction of being attributed in the manuscripts to both Plato and Lucian, although the work is not by either writer. Favorinus, writing in the early 2nd century, attributes it to a certain Leon.
In the dialogue, Socrates relates to Chaerephon the ancient myth of the Halcyon, a woman transformed into a bird forever searching the seas in lament. The conversation is conducted in the port of Phaleron, also the narrative setting of Plato's Symposium. Socrates advocates epistemological humility for mortals in light of the gods' abilities.
The text was included in the 1st century CE Platonic canon of Thrasyllus of Mendes, but had been expunged prior to the Stephanus pagination and is thus rarely found in modern collections of Plato, although it appears in Hackett's Complete Works. It is often still included among the spurious works of Lucian.
Halcyon is the second studio album by English singer and songwriter Ellie Goulding, released on 5 October 2012 by Polydor Records. It was recorded between 2011 and 2012, during promotion of her debut album, Lights (2010). Goulding worked with several producers on the album, including Jim Eliot, Starsmith, Billboard, Justin Parker, MONSTA, Madeon and Mike Spencer, in addition to collaborating with artists such as Tinie Tempah and Calvin Harris.
Halcyon received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented Goulding's more aggressive showcase of her voice, however, less favorable reviews felt that "the main flaw of Halcyon is that it occasionally feels a bit too much". The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, selling 33,425 copies in its first week. In January 2014, it topped the UK Albums Chart and gave Goulding her second number-one album. Halcyon also debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 in the United States, while reaching number one in Ireland, the top five in New Zealand, and the top 10 in Canada, Germany and Switzerland.
" Anything Could Happen" was released as the lead single from Halcyon on 17 August 2012, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart. " Figure 8" was released as the album's second single, peaking at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart and number seven on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The album's third single, " Explosions", peaked at number 13 on the UK chart. To further promote the album, Goulding embarked on a nine-day promotional tour across the United Kingdom. The Halcyon Days Tour was unveiled along with North American dates, beginning in Miami Beach, Florida. On 23 August 2013, the album was reissued as an expanded version titled Halcyon Days.
Usage examples of "halcyon".
Chapter VIII Don Jose de Antequera -- Appoints himself Governor of Asuncion -- Unsettled state of affairs in the town -- He is commanded to relinquish his illegal power -- He refuses, and resorts to arms -- After some success he is defeated and condemned to be executed -- He is shot on his way to the scaffold -- Renewed hatred against the Jesuits -- Their labours among the Indians of the Chaco From the departure of Cardenas in 1650, to about 1720, was the halcyon period of the Jesuit missions in Paraguay.
Enter, and for the small sum of ten sous you shall hear sobs such as the Odeon never echoed in its halcyon days.
Doctor and Roddle carried Halcyon towards the hangar in a gloomy silence.
Halcyon was slumped unconscious in one chair, Roddle sat in another, and the Doctor had the hot seat, riffling through pages in a bubblescreen.
Halcyon liked a clean vessel, so while the sudship went to work, Sook secretly entertained its passengers.
Gaws and Mildrid had pushed off to plan whatever stunts they were up to, Sook explained that Halcyon wished to see him first thing in the morning.
We do have some fabulously good times together, I was thinking as the car headed over to Prince Georges County, where I had once confronted a homicidal twelve-year-old during the halcyon days of the Jack and Jill killers, and where Christine Johnson lived.
The sky was bright but his mood was heavy, and as the ripples disappeared he watched them pensively, his mind a hundred miles from his halcyon surroundings.
Rome to behold the due process of electoral law in the Plebeian Assembly, since the weather was springish and halcyon.
Perhaps not so surprising then that Gnaeus Pompeius MagnusPompey the Greatwas moved to visit Rome to behold the due process of electoral law in the Plebeian Assembly, since the weather was springish and halcyon.
Oligarchy, had Jorg Bomin assassinated within three months, nationalized the media, and went on to enjoy a reign undreamed of by Gile Cobart even during the halcyon days of his Administration.
In the midst of this inextricable mass of plants and sea weed, I noticed some charming pink halcyons and actiniae, with their long tentacles trailing after them, and medusae, green, red, and blue.
Chapter VIII Don Jose de Antequera -- Appoints himself Governor of Asuncion -- Unsettled state of affairs in the town -- He is commanded to relinquish his illegal power -- He refuses, and resorts to arms -- After some success he is defeated and condemned to be executed -- He is shot on his way to the scaffold -- Renewed hatred against the Jesuits -- Their labours among the Indians of the Chaco From the departure of Cardenas in 1650, to about 1720, was the halcyon period of the Jesuit missions in Paraguay.
And now, broad, blue, bright, before them, spread that halcyon sea, fair as at this moment, seventeen centuries from that date, I behold it rippling on the same divinest shores.
But the halcyon hour was interrupted even before they reached the final course, which was hard, yeastless bread and some sort of rich butter.