welkin
Say it: WEL-kin /ˈwɛlkɪn/ · noun
What “welkin” means
The sky, in poetry or old-fashioned language.
More precisely: The sky or heavens, in poetic or old language.
Example: “The crowd's cheer made the welkin ring when the winner crossed the line.”
When to use it
Use it in poetry or deliberately old-fashioned descriptions of the sky, often when sounds seem to fill it.
Similar words
sky, heavens, firmament
Where it comes from
Old English wolcen, 'cloud'.
Quick check
In an old poem, a lark rises into the vast sky above the fields. What could the poet call that sky?
the welkin or the horizon?
Show the answer
the welkin
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