henequen

Or hen·e·quin

[hen-uh-kin]

noun

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

henequen

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of henequen¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of henequen¹

C19: from American Spanish henequén , probably of Taino origin

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.

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Sisal and henequen were fibers used in making rope.

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

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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.

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

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