henna

Meanings

Noun

• A shrub, Lawsonia inermis, having fragrant reddish flowers
• A reddish plant substance, prepared from the dried leaves of this plant, used for temporary tattoos and hair coloring. Hair colorings range from bright red to earth brown to near black.
• A rich reddish-brown colour.

Adjective

• Of a rich reddish-brown colour.

Verb

• To dye or tattoo with henna.

Origin

• Borrowed from Arabic حِنَّاء, the name of the tree used to make the dye, probably from Middle Persian ("to smear, anoint").