alkanet

(al′kə net′)

noun

1. a perennial plant (Alkanna tinctoria) of the borage family, found in SE Europe and Asia Minor
2. the root of this plant which yields a red dye
3. the dark-red coloring matter, CHO, present in this root
any of several other plants (genus Anchusa) of the borage family, grown for their red dyes or as garden plants
gromwell

Origin: ME alknet < Sp alcaneta, dim. of alcana < Ar al-ḥinnāʾ, the henna

See alkanet in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A European perennial herb (Alkanna tinctoria) having cymes of blue flowers and red roots.
b. The root of this plant or the red dye extracted from the root.
Any of various hairy plants of the Eurasian genus Anchusa, having blue or violet flowers grouped on elongated cymes.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old Spanish alcaneta

Origin: , diminutive of alcana, henna

Origin: , from Medieval Latin alchanna

Origin: , from Arabic al-ḥinnā’, the henna

Origin: : al-, the

Origin: + ḥinnā’, henna; see henna

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