Definition

A type of plant that grows in Europe, known for its blue flowers and red roots. The root can be used to make a red dye.

Example

The alkanet plant is known for its vibrant blue flowers and the red dye derived from its roots.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of alkanet?

Yeah, isn’t it that plant with the blue flowers?

Exactly! I read that its roots can be used to make a red dye.

That’s so interesting! I’d love to see how it looks in person.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Alkanet originates from the Arabic word 'al-henna' (meaning the henna plant), which refers to a plant used for dyeing and coloring. The term was adapted into Latin as 'alkanna', referring to the same plant, and eventually made its way into English as 'alkanet'.

Memory Tip

Think of the Arabic word for henna, which is used for dyeing, to remember that alkanet is a plant known for its coloring properties.

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