noun
henna
HEN-uh/ˈhenə/
A reddish plant-based dye used to color skin or hair.
A bowl of henna paste sits beside crushed leaves and powder.
Etymology
Arabic hinna names the plant whose leaves supply the reddish dye. The plant’s name also came to designate the coloring material used on the body or hair.
In context
Her hair was dyed with henna and juniper, and she wore a wig made of date palm fibers treated with quartz crystals to keep it stiff and black.
More examples
- She uses henna to give her hair a reddish tint.
- The artist applies henna to my palms in delicate patterns.
- Mix the henna powder with water to make a paste.
Similar words
- dye
- A broader term for coloring substances, including synthetic ones.
- stain
- A coloring substance not necessarily plant-based or intended for skin.