henna

Meaning

Noun

1. A shrub, Lawsonia inermis, having fragrant reddish flowers
2. A reddish plant substance, prepared from the dried leaves of this plant, used for temporary tattoos and hair coloring. Hair colorings range from bright red to earth brown to near black.
3. A rich reddish-brown colour.

Adj

Of a rich reddish-brown colour.

Verb

To dye or tattoo with henna.

Synonyms

alcana

civet

collyrium

plant

🌱

rouge

woad

gold-leaf

Lawsonia inermis

artificial beauty-spot

Egyptian henna

ceruse

Lawconia inermis

Pronounced as (IPA)

/hɛnə/

Etymology

Borrowed from Arabic حِنَّاء (ḥinnāʔ), the name of the tree used to make the dye, probably from Middle Persian [script needed] (*hannāy-, “to smear, anoint”).