harmattan Hear it!

harmattan Definition

har·mat·tan (här′mə tan′)

noun

a dry, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara in N Africa toward the Atlantic, esp. from Nov. to March

Etymology: Sp harmatán < the native (Twi) name in W Africa

harmattan Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • wind: The south end of the range experiences the southwesterly monsoon from the ocean and the north end dry northeasterly harmattan winds from the desert.