senna

[ sen-uh ]

noun

any plant, shrub, or tree belonging to the genus Cassia, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and large clusters of flowers.
any of various cathartic drugs consisting of the dried leaflets of certain of these plants, as one drug (Alexandrian senna ) derived from C. acutifolia, or another (Tinnevelly senna ) derived from C. angustifolia.

wild senna.

Origin of senna

1535–45; <New Latin <Arabic sanā

Words Nearby senna

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

How to use senna in a sentence

Jacob Bernstein on why the Academy snubbed Bill Cunningham New York, senna, and other crowd-pleasers.
Oscar’s Documentary Myopia: Popular Films Don’t Get Nominated | Jacob Bernstein | February 2, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Sometimes he ate dry senna and raisins mixed on a plate, and we teased away the raisins, and he had to chew the senna "bare."
Aunt Madge's Story | Sophie May
Concentrated infusion of senna, as generally met with, is nearly worthless.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I | Arnold Cooley
Soak prunes over night in cold water to cover, add the senna leaves tied in cheesecloth, and cook slowly until prunes are tender.
Better Meals for Less Money | Mary Green
As to the bowels, some senna and camomile tea at bedtime would help to clear them.
The Healthy Life, Vol. V, Nos. 24-28 | Various

A mixture of castor and codliver oil, senna and asafœtida would have been nectar compared with it.
Life in an Indian Outpost | Gordon Casserly

British Dictionary definitions for senna (1 of 2)

senna

/ (ˈsɛnə) /

noun

any of various tropical plants of the leguminous genus Cassia, esp C. angustifolia (Arabian senna) and C. acutifolia (Alexandrian senna), having typically yellow flowers and long pods
senna leaf the dried leaflets of any of these plants, used as a cathartic and laxative

senna pods the dried fruits of any of these plants, used as a cathartic and laxative

Origin of senna

C16: via New Latin from Arabic sanā

See also bladder senna

British Dictionary definitions for Senna (2 of 2)

Senna

/ (ˈsɛnə) /

noun

Ayrton (ˈɛətən). 1960–94, Brazilian racing driver: world champion (1988, 1990, 1991)

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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