khamsin

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Egyptian Arabic خَمْسِين (ḵamsīn, fifty); see khamaseen for more.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈkæm.sɪn/, /kæmˈsin/

Noun

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khamsin (plural khamsins)

  1. A hot, dry wind, common in Egypt, Sudan and the Levant towards the end of March and April, which blows (for about 50 days each year) from the desert, bringing with it hot weather and sand / sandstorms.
    • 1957, Lawrence Durrell, Justine, Faber, published 1968, page 121:
      That second spring the khamseen was worse than I have ever known it before or since.

Synonyms

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Translations

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French

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Alternative forms

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Noun

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khamsin m (plural khamsins)

  1. khamsin

Further reading

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