Welkin: meaning, definitions and examples

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welkin

 

[ ˈwɛlkɪn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

sky, heavens

Welkin refers to the sky or the heavens. It is an archaic term that was used predominantly in literature and poetry to evoke a sense of vastness or the celestial realm.

Synonyms

celestial sphere, firmament, heavens, sky.

Examples of usage

  • The stars twinkled brightly in the welkin above.
  • He lifted his gaze to the welkin, pondering the mysteries of the universe.
  • In springtime, the welkin is often filled with the songs of birds.
  • The poet described the setting sun painting the welkin in hues of orange and purple.

Translations

Translations of the word "welkin" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cúpula

🇮🇳 आसमान

🇩🇪 Himmel

🇮🇩 langit

🇺🇦 небо

🇵🇱 niebo

🇯🇵 

🇫🇷 ciel

🇪🇸 cielo

🇹🇷 gökyüzü

🇰🇷 하늘

🇸🇦 سماء

🇨🇿 nebe

🇸🇰 nebo

🇨🇳 天空

🇸🇮 nebo

🇮🇸 himinn

🇰🇿 аспан

🇬🇪 მზიური

🇦🇿 göy

🇲🇽 cielo

Etymology

The word 'welkin' comes from the Old English term 'wolcen', meaning 'cloud' or 'sky', which is related to the Old Norse 'velkin' and the Middle English 'welcyn'. Throughout medieval literature, 'welkin' was often used to refer to the celestial realm or the abode of God and angels. It has often held connotations of beauty and serenity, invoking images of nature and the universe. The term is largely archaic today, surviving primarily in poetic contexts or historical literature. It illustrates how language evolves, cementing a sense of nostalgia and romanticism when used in modern writing, capturing a glimpse of the past when such words were commonplace.