English Explanatory Dictionary

harmattan

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  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.

Pronunciation

/ˌhɑːməˈtæn/ /ˌhɑːˈmætən/ /ˌhɑɹməˈtæn/ /ˌhɑɹməˈtɑn/ /ˌhɑɹˈmætən/

Word forms

harmattan harmattans

Etymology

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.

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