harmattan

Meaning

1. A dry and dusty wind which blows from the Sahara over the Atlantic coast of West Africa in December, January and February, being a hot wind in some areas and a cold wind in others.
2. A season which spans the period in which the harmattan wind blows.

Synonyms

wind

hot wind

Translations

harmattan

vent

harmattan

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌhɑːməˈtæn/

Etymology

Cognate with Spanish: harmatán

Cognate with Arabic: -

In summary

From Twi Akan haramata or a related word (whence also Spanish harmatán). The ultimate origin is supposed by some to be an Arabic word, but which one is uncertain; حَرَام (ḥarām, “accursed thing”) has been suggested.