Alkanna
/ælˈkænə/noun
A plant yielding a reddish dye, especially henna or a related dye plant.
Did you know?Henna’s reddish stain has been used for thousands of years in ceremonial body decoration, including weddings, rites of passage, and protective traditions across North Africa and South Asia.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Arabic
Arabic
al-ḥinnāʾ
“The henna plant; al- is the definite article, while ḥinnāʾ names the dye plant.”
Medieval Period
Arabic/Latin
alchanna
“A Latinized form used for henna and its reddish dye.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
alcanna
“Henna or a plant producing red dye.”
16th Century
Spanish/Italian
alcana / alcanna
“Names for henna and related dye-producing plants.”
Modern English
English
alkanna
“A plant yielding a reddish dye, especially henna or a related species.”