mehndi

noun

1. (South-Asia, countable)A henna plant (Lawsonia inermis).
2. (South-Asia, uncountable)The preparation of this plant used for dyeing.

   “The first lot to be put up was a tin of sugar biscuits and a jar of ‘mendy’, a pomade of native origin for dyeing the hair black.”

   “She was thirteen, a young bride whose small palms had been stained burgundy with mehndi for a man she knew nothing about, not even his name.”

3. (South-Asia, uncountable)A temporary skin decoration made with henna.
4. (South-Asia, uncountable)The practice of applying such decoration, typically as part of a bride or groom's preparations for a wedding.

   “Then came the Mehndi ceremony – where henna is painted on the bride's hands and feet, and the bride and groom's family try to outdo each other in singing and dancing.”