A reddish-brown dye obtained from a tropical shrub, used to color hair, skin, and nails, especially in traditional body art.
From Arabic ḥinnā', the name for both the plant (Lawsonia inermis) and the dye made from its leaves. The word entered various European languages through trade contacts with Arabic-speaking regions. English adopted it in the 17th century through contact with Middle Eastern and North African cultures, initially through colonial and trading relationships.
This beautiful body art dye has kept its original Arabic name across dozens of languages! The plant was so central to Arabic and Islamic culture for celebrations and ceremonies that no other culture bothered to rename it—they just borrowed the Arabic word along with the artistic traditions.
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