henequen

American  

[hen-uh-kin] / ˈhɛn ə kɪn /

Or henequin

noun

1. the fiber of an agave, Agave fourcroydes, of Yucatán, used for making ropes, coarse fabrics, etc.

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henequen British  

/ ˈhɛnɪkɪn /

noun

1. an agave plant, Agave fourcroydes , that is native to Yucatán

2. the fibre of this plant, used in making rope, twine, and coarse fabrics

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Etymology

Origin of henequen

First recorded in 1875–80; from Latin American Spanish henequén, earlier geniquén, jeniquén, heniquén, perhaps from an Indigenous language of Hispaniola, where the word was allegedly first used

Example Sentences

Rojo was a descendent of Tetabiate, a Yaqui leader killed in a 1901 battle with the government, which deported the surviving Yaquis to work in slave-like conditions on henequen plantations in far-away Yucatan.

From Seattle Times

Sisal and henequen were fibers used in making rope.

From Washington Times

Sisal and henequen were fibers used in making rope, and were usually harvested by Mayas working in serf-like conditions on large plantations.

From Washington Times

One of the newest and poshest is the Chablé Resort and Spa, in Chocholá — 38 modern casitas, each with its own pool and hammock, on the jungled grounds of the former henequen estate Hacienda San Antonio Chablé.

From New York Times

Like the other haciendas in the area it was once part of a henequen ranch.

From New York Times