n.
Pronunciation: ' wel-k ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, literally, cloud, from Old English wolcen; akin to Old High German wolkan cloud
Date: 12th century
1 a : the vault of the sky : FIRMAMENT <the sun of heaven ⋯ made the western welkin blush ― Shakespeare> b : the celestial abode of God or the gods : HEAVEN
2 : the upper atmosphere