henna

American  

[hen-uh] / ˈhɛn ə /

noun

1. an Asian shrub or small tree, Lawsonia inermis, of the loosestrife family, having elliptic leaves and fragrant flowers.

2. a reddish-orange dye or cosmetic made from the leaves of this plant.

3. a color midway between red-brown and orange-brown.

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verb (used with object)

hennas, present (3rd person singular) hennaed, past participle, past hennaing present participle

1. to tint or dye with henna.

henna British  

/ ˈhɛnə /

noun

1. a lythraceous shrub or tree, Lawsonia inermis, of Asia and N Africa, with white or reddish fragrant flowers

2. a reddish dye obtained from the powdered leaves of this plant, used as a cosmetic and industrial dye

3. a reddish-brown or brown colour

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verb

1. (tr) to dye with henna

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have hennaed
  perfect
• has hennaed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are hennaing
  progressive
• have been hennaing
  perfect progressive
• has been hennaing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• hennaing
  participle
• hennas
  singular 3rd person
• am hennaing
  progressive 1st person singular
• is hennaing
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had hennaed
  perfect
• had been hennaing
  perfect progressive
• were hennaing
  progressive plural
• hennaed
  participle
• hennaed
  simple
• was hennaing
  progressive singular

Future

• will henna
  simple
• will have hennaed
  perfect
• will be hennaing
  progressive
• will have been hennaing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of henna

First recorded in 1590–1600, henna is from the Arabic word hinnā'

Example Sentences

HENNA, the Persian name for a small shrub found in India, Persia, the Levant and along the African coasts of the Mediterranean, where it is frequently cultivated.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various