View synonyms for khamsin

khamsin

[ kam-seen, kam-sin ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a hot southerly wind, varying from southeast to southwest, that blows regularly in Egypt and over the Red Sea for about 50 days, commencing about the middle of March.

khamsin

/ kæmˈsiːn; ˈkæmsɪn /

Origin of khamsin¹

First recorded in 1675–85, khamsin is from the Arabic word khamsīn literally, fifty

Origin of khamsin¹

C17: from Arabic, literally: fifty

During the night a Khamsin wind began to blow, though lightly as was to be expected at this season of the year.

Their delay had been caused in part by the Khamsin wind, and in part by their sluggish movements.

Occasionally this crop is damaged by hot blasts—“Khamsin winds”—which shrivel the bean, especially if they occur when it is soft.

Give a man the egotism of grief, and eloquence, and popularity, and he'll cut as sharp as the khamsin wind.

Alexandria on our return was dimmed in the heat and choking in the sand clouds of a khamsin.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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