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Added 9 October 2026

henna

/hɛnə/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about henna at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A shrub, Lawsonia inermis, having fragrant reddish flowers.
A flower of this plant.
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.

adjective

Of a rich reddish-brown colour.

verb

To dye or tattoo with henna.

Origin

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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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