khamsin
[kam-seen, kam-sin]
- 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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Origin of khamsin
First recorded in 1675–85, khamsin is from the Arabic word khamsīn literally, fifty
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for khamsin
Historical Examples
But if buildings are shut up early in the morning and opened at night, even the khamsin may be made tolerable.
The Australian Army Medical Corps in EgyptJames W. Barrett
The khamsin blows for a certain number of days in April, May, and the first half of June.
The Australian Army Medical Corps in EgyptJames W. Barrett
The heat was increasing and the desert winds brought the "khamsin" or duststorms.
The 28th: A Record of War Service in the Australian Imperial Force, 1915-19, Vol. IHerbert Brayley Collett
Alexandria on our return was dimmed in the heat and choking in the sand clouds of a khamsin.
It was another very hot day, with a khamsin blowing, and the hard, shelterless hill-sides were a poor place to spend it on.
khamsin
kamseen or kamsin
- a hot southerly wind blowing from about March to May, esp in Egypt
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Word Origin
C17: from Arabic, literally: fifty
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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