henequen

or hen·e·quin

[ hen-uh-kin ]

noun

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

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

Words Nearby henequen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use henequen in a sentence

henequen fiber is used by the Indians for a great variety of purposes.
The Maya Indians of Southern Yucatan and Northern British Honduras | Thomas William Francis Gann
Its productions consist principally in the making henequen bags and the raising of cattle.
The Mayas, the Sources of Their History / Dr. Le Plongeon in Yucatan, His Account of Discoveries | Stephen Salisbury, Jr.
It is also their duty to rasp a certain amount of henequen fiber from the agave each day.
Reports on the Maya Indians of Yucatan | Santiago Mendez
A second year is allowed to pass before the henequen is planted.
The American Egypt | Channing Arnold
It is rumored that from the state of sisal and henequen he will pick his running-mate.
Diplomatic Days | Edith O'Shaughnessy

British Dictionary definitions for henequen

henequen

henequin or heniquen

/ (ˈhɛnɪkɪn) /

noun

an agave plant, Agave fourcroydes, that is native to Yucatán
the fibre of this plant, used in making rope, twine, and coarse fabrics

Origin of henequen

C19: from American Spanish henequén, probably of Taino origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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