senna
senna Lexical Profile
senna Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The dried leaflets or seedpods of certain species of this plant (especially Senna alexandrina), widely used in herbal and pharmaceutical medicine as a stimulant laxative and cathartic.
"The pharmacist recommended a mild herbal tea containing senna to help relieve occasional constipation."
Any of various tropical and subtropical leguminous shrubs, herbs, or trees of the genus Senna (formerly included in Cassia), having pinnate leaves and bearing showy clusters of yellow, five-petaled flowers followed by flat seedpods.
"The botanical garden features a sunny border planted with golden-flowered senna shrubs that attract sulfur butterflies."
• Rhymes for senna
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century via Medieval Latin from the Arabic word 'sanā', the traditional name for the medicinal plant and its laxative leaves.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.