[al.ka.net] n [ME, fr. OSp alcaneta, dim. of alcana henna shrub, fr. ML alchanna, fr. Ar al-hinna' the henna] (14c) 1 a: a European plant (Alkanna tinctoria) of the borage family; also: its root b: a red dyestuff prepared from the root
2: a plant (Anchusa officinalis) of the borage family with delicate usu. blue flowers