alkanet

[ al-kuh-net ]

noun

1. a European plant, Alkanna tinctoria, of the borage family.
2. the root of this plant, yielding a red dye.
3. the dye itself.
4. any of several similar hairy plants, as the bugloss, Anchusa officinalis, or a puccoon of the genus Lithospermum.

alkanet

/ ˈælkəˌnɛt /

noun

1. a European boraginaceous plant, Alkanna tinctoria, the roots of which yield a red dye
2. Also calledanchusinalkannin the dye obtained from this plant
3. See bugloss
   any of certain hairy blue-flowered Old World plants of the boraginaceous genus Anchusa (or Pentaglottis ), such as A. sempervirens of Europe See also bugloss
4. See puccoon
   another name for puccoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of alkanet¹

1300–50; Middle English < Old Spanish alcaneta, equivalent to alcan ( a ) henna (plant) (< Medieval Latin alchanna < Arabic al the + hinnā̉ henna) + -eta diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of alkanet¹

C14: from Spanish alcaneta, diminutive of alcana henna, from Medieval Latin alchanna, from Arabic al the + hinnā' henna

Example Sentences

On removing from the fire, add three or four small pieces of alkanet root, and keep the vessel closely covered for several hours.

From Project Gutenberg

According to Dr John, good alkanet root contains 51⁄2 per cent.

From Project Gutenberg

Cochineal is turned by the potassa to a violet-red, orchil to a violet-blue, and alkanet to a decided blue.

From Project Gutenberg

Hydrochloric acid, whether dilute or concentrated, is without action on alkanet violet.

From Project Gutenberg

Color the grease very strongly with alkanet root, then proceed as for the manufacture of saponaceous cream.

From Project Gutenberg