Mehendi
/məˈhɛn.di/noun
A temporary body-art practice involving the application of henna dye, especially in South Asian cultures.
Did you know?Mehendi is traditionally made from Lawsonia inermis leaves, whose lawsone pigment binds to keratin and can leave orange-brown designs for days or weeks.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
मेन्धिका (mendhikā)
“A name for the henna plant, Lawsonia inermis; the ultimate etymology is not fully certain.”
Middle Indo-Aryan
Prakrit
meṃdhiyā
“A regional descendant referring to the henna plant or its dye; exact intermediate forms vary by source.”
Medieval period
Hindi
मेहंदी (mehindī)
“Henna dye and the practice of applying it to the skin.”
Medieval–Modern period
Urdu
مہندی (mehndī)
“Henna, especially decorative application for ceremonies and celebrations.”
Modern English
English
mehendi
“South Asian henna body art, particularly the elaborate designs associated with weddings and festivals.”