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henequen

noun
hen·​e·​quen | \ ˈhe-ni-kən How to pronounce henequen (audio) , ˌhe-ni-ˈken\

Definition of henequen

: a strong yellowish or reddish hard fiber obtained from the leaves of a tropical American agave (Agave fourcroydes) found chiefly in Yucatán and used especially in making twine and rope also : a plant that yields henequen

Examples of henequen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 An 18th-century plantation of henequen (an agave-like plant), Hacienda Mucuyché is home to two cenotes that supposedly hosted Carlota, a Belgian princess who briefly became Empress of Mexico when Napoleon III named her husband emperor. — National Geographic, "Visit these breathtaking underwater caves in the Yucatán Peninsula," 31 May 2019 Like most haciendas in the Yucatán, Huayamon — a 20-minute drive from the city — was founded in the 18th century (although most of its buildings date to the 19th century) to cultivate and process henequen, a tough fiber made from a variety of agave. — Michael Snyder, New York Times, "In Campeche, Pyramids Are Everywhere. Crowds Are Not," 2 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of henequen

1880, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for henequen

Spanish henequén

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