halcyon
/ˈhælsi.ən/noun
High School
1
A kingfisher whose nesting by the sea was said, in classical mythology, to cause the Gods to restrain the wind and waves.
2
The dead body of such a bird, said in Tudor times to act as a weather vane when hung from a beam.
3
A tropical kingfisher of the genus Halcyon, such as the sacred kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) of Australia.
Sound Patterns & Rhymes
Alliteration
Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)
Assonance
Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing
Explore More
More High School words starting with “H”
Browse other words in the same learning bracket as halcyon.