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senna
[ sen-uh ]
/ ˈsɛn ə /
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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.
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Origin of senna
1535–45; <New Latin <Arabic sanā
Words nearby senna
senior master sergeant, senior moment, senior service, seniti, Senlac, senna, Sennacherib, sennachie, Sennar, sennet, Sennett
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use senna in a sentence
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
See also bladder senna
Word Origin for senna
C16: via New Latin from Arabic sanā
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
Medical definitions for senna
senna
[ sĕn′ə ]
n.
A plant of the genus Cassia, used as a laxative.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.