henequen

or hen·e·quin

[ hen-uh-kin ]

noun

1. the fiber of an agave, Agave fourcroydes, of Yucatán, used for making ropes, coarse fabrics, etc.

henequen

/ ˈhɛnɪkɪn /

noun

1. an agave plant, Agave fourcroydes , that is native to Yucatán
2. the fibre of this plant, used in making rope, twine, and coarse fabrics

Word History and Origins

Origin of henequen¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from Latin American Spanish henequén, earlier geniquén, jeniquén, heniquén, perhaps from an Indigenous language of Hispaniola, where the word was allegedly first used

Word History and Origins

Origin of henequen¹

C19: from American Spanish henequén , probably of Taino origin

Example Sentences

Rojo was a descendent of Tetabiate, a Yaqui leader killed in a 1901 battle with the government, which deported the surviving Yaquis to work in slave-like conditions on henequen plantations in far-away Yucatan.

From Seattle Times

Rojo was a descendent of Tetabiate, a Yaqui leader killed in a 1901 battle with the government, which deported the surviving Yaquis to work in slave-like conditions on henequen plantations in far-away Yucatan.

From Seattle Times

Sisal and henequen were fibers used in making rope.

From Seattle Times

Sisal and henequen were fibers used in making rope.

From Washington Times

Sisal and henequen were fibers used in making rope, and were usually harvested by Mayas working in serf-like conditions on large plantations.

From Washington Times