khamsin

[ kam-seen, kam-sin ]

/ kæmˈsin, ˈkæm sɪn /

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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.

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Origin of khamsin

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

Words nearby khamsin

Khalkís, khalsa, Khama, Khambhat, Khamenei, khamsin, khan, khanate, Khanbalik, khanda, khanga

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use khamsin in a sentence

During the night a Khamsin wind began to blow, though lightly as was to be expected at this season of the year.
The Ivory Child|H. Rider Haggard
Their delay had been caused in part by the Khamsin wind, and in part by their sluggish movements.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 383, September 1847|Various
Occasionally this crop is damaged by hot blasts—“Khamsin winds”—which shrivel the bean, especially if they occur when it is soft.
The Khedive's Country|George Manville Fenn
Give a man the egotism of grief, and eloquence, and popularity, and he'll cut as sharp as the khamsin wind.
Donovan Pasha And Some People Of Egypt, Complete|Gilbert Parker

Alexandria on our return was dimmed in the heat and choking in the sand clouds of a khamsin.
The Fifth Battalion Highland Light Infantry in the War 1914-1918|F.L. Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for khamsin

khamsin

kamseen or kamsin

/ (ˈkæmsɪn, kæmˈsiːn) /

noun

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

Word Origin for khamsin

C17: from Arabic, literally: fifty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

khamsin

Origin of khamsin

Words nearby khamsin

Words related to khamsin

How to use khamsin in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for khamsin

kamseen or kamsin

Word Origin for khamsin