A female bird in the condition to incubate eggs; a broody hen, duck, etc.
Of birds: sitting persistently and protectively on a nest, in order to hatch eggs.
Of any creature or person: showing an interest in raising young.
Gloomy.
Brooding, dwelling upon one's thoughts; moody.
The dead body of such a bird, said in Tudor times to act as a weather vane when hung from a beam.
A kingfisher whose nesting by the sea was said, in classical mythology, to cause the Gods to restrain the wind and waves.
A tropical kingfisher of the genus Halcyon, such as the sacred kingfisher (Halcyon sancta) of Australia.
Pertaining to the halcyon or kingfisher.
Calm, undisturbed, peaceful, serene.