View synonyms for harmattan

harmattan

[ hahr-muh-tan ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

harmattan

/ hɑːˈmætən /

a dry dusty wind from the Sahara blowing towards the W African coast, esp from November to March

1665–75; said to be < Twi haramata

C17: from Twi haramata, perhaps from Arabic harām forbidden thing; see harem

The mean temperature in the dry season, when the “harmattan” is frequent, is 62 Fahr., in the wet season 86.

The Harmattan, a very dry east wind from the African continent, occasionally makes itself felt.

A hot wind, like the harmattan of the Guinea coast, rose and drove the sand before it in clouds.

This harmattan, by the way, is a bit of a meteorological mystery.

The harmattan prevails for several days in succession, and alternates with winds from the south and south-west.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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