khamsin

American  

[kam-seen, kam-sin] / kæmˈsin, ˈkæm sɪn /

noun

1. 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.

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khamsin British  

/ kæmˈsiːn, ˈkæmsɪn /

noun

1. a hot southerly wind blowing from about March to May, esp in Egypt

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Etymology

Origin of khamsin

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

khamsin

These victims have few specific complaints beyond an extreme sensitivity to the rapid temperature changes caused by the khamsin.

From Time Magazine Archive

The plain fact was that, as Arab and Jew squared off for battle in the hazy heat of a khamsin desert wind, no one wanted the battle to start.

From Time Magazine Archive

The hot, dry atmosphere produced by the khamsin contains an excess of positive ions.

From Time Magazine Archive

The khamsin, the hot African wind, filled the air with the sands of the Sahara.

From Time Magazine Archive

Camp was not a healthy spot in the khamsin days, Mac decided.

From The Tale of a Trooper by Clutha N. (Clutha Nantes) Mackenzie

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