alhenna

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Arabic الحِنَّاء (al-ḥinnāʔ), preserving the Arabic article اَل (al-).

Noun

alhenna (uncountable)

1. (archaic) henna (Lawsonia inermis)

References

• “alhenna”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• Lenahan

Old Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from Andalusian Arabic, from Arabic حِنَّاء (ḥinnāʔ).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /alˈheɲa/

Noun

alhenna f (plural alhennas)

1. henna (shrub (Lawsonia inermis))
   • c. 1250, Alfonso X, Lapidario, f. 32v:

     Et ſi deſpues mezclaren aquel uino con alhenna. ⁊ lauaren los cabellos con ello tinnenſe prietos de tintura que nunqua ſe tuelle […]

     And if after they should mix that wine with henna and wash their hair with it, it would be dyed a dark color with an unfading dye […]

Descendants

• Spanish: alheña