Etymology Map
Back to all words

Alkanet

3 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a European plant whose root yields a red dye, used historically as a cosmetic stain and styptic

Where does the word "alkanet" come from? It comes from Arabic al-hinna, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (mid-1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
al-hinna
Arabic · medieval
"henna, red-dye plant"
"the henna plant," whose name was extended to a related red-dye plant
2
Stage 2 of 3
alcanna
Medieval Latin · medieval
"dye-root plant"
adopted a diminutive form for the European dye plant alkanet
3
Stage 3 of 3
alkanet
English · mid-1300s
"red-dye root plant"
entered English for the plant whose root yields a red dye and cosmetic stain
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom