alkanet noun. ['alkǝnɛt] ME.
[Colloq. Arab. al-anna(t) = classical Arab. al-innā' ALCANNA.]
1. A red dye obtained from the roots of certain plants of the genus Alkanna, of the borage family, esp. A. lehmannii. ME.

2. Any plant of the genus Alkanna; any of several related plants having roots which can be used in similar ways, esp. Anchusa officinalis of Europe, with violet or occas. yellow or white flowers. Also (more fully green alkanet, evergreen alkanet), a coarse blue-flowered garden plant, Pentaglottis sempervivens, native to SW Europe. ME.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲