alkanet

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

Alkanet’s story begins in Arabic: al-hinna meant “henna, red-dye plant.” "the henna plant," whose name was extended to a related red-dye plant. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as alcanna. Adopted a diminutive form for the European dye plant alkanet. It reached English by mid-1300s as alkanet. Entered English for the plant whose root yields a red dye and cosmetic stain. Today, alkanet means a European plant whose root yields a red dye, used historically as a cosmetic stain and styptic.

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