hal

prop. n. Harold; -- a nickname. [ PJC ]

n.; pl. Halachoth [ Heb. halāchāh. ] The general term for the Hebrew oral or traditional law; one of two branches of exposition in the Midrash. See Midrash. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Photog.) An appearance as of a halo of light, surrounding the edges of dark objects in a photographic picture. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. hallebarde; of German origin; cf. MHG. helmbarte, G. hellebarte; prob. orig., an ax to split a helmet, fr. G. barte a broad ax (orig. from the same source as E. beard; cf. Icel. barða, a kind of ax, skegg beard, skeggja a kind of halberd) + helm helmet; but cf. also MHG. helm, halm, handle, and E. helve. See Beard, Helmet. ] (Mil.) An ancient long-handled weapon, of which the head had a point and several long, sharp edges, curved or straight, and sometimes additional points. The heads were sometimes of very elaborate form. [ Written also halbert. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. hallebardier. ] One who is armed with a halberd. Strype. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Hastate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. halcyon, alcyon, Gr. "alkyw`n, 'alkyw`n: cf. F. halcyon.] (Zool.) 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. [1913 Webster]

Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be
As halcyons brooding on a winter sea. Dryden. [1913 Webster]

a. 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: Calm; quiet; peaceful; undisturbed; happy. “Deep, halcyon repose.” De Quincy. [ 1913 Webster ]