canicule
- noun
- /ˈkænɪˌkuːl/
:
canícula
- The oppressive heat during the canicule made outdoor work nearly impossible.
Examples
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Farmers prepared for the canicule by ensuring their crops were well irrigated.
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During the canicule, many people prefer to stay indoors.
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As the canicule dragged on, the city's streets emptied in the afternoon.
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The canicule this summer has been unbearable.
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As the canicule dragged on, the city's streets emptied in the afternoon.
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The oppressive heat during the canicule made outdoor work nearly impossible.
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During the canicule, many people prefer to stay indoors.
Synonyms
6
5.5
The hottest time of summer when people often rest and business slows down
1
3.5
A period of several days with much hotter weather than usual
The hottest period of the year is usually in July and August when people stay indoors
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word canicule comes from the Latin canicula, meaning 'little dog'. People long ago called the hottest part of summer the 'dog days' because the 'dog star' Sirius rose then, so canicule now means the very hot period of the year when people are often inactive.