Henequin

/ˈhɛnɪkɪn/ noun

Definition

An alternate spelling and variant name for henequen, the Mexican fiber plant.

Etymology

A variant spelling of henequen, showing linguistic variation in how Spanish words were transliterated into English during different colonial and trade periods.

Kelly Says

Different spelling variants like henequin and henequen reveal how English didn't have standardized spellings for foreign words until recently—merchants and sailors all spelled Mexican plant names differently!

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