What does sena mean?
Sena is a former monetary unit from Guinea, equal to one hundredth of a Guinean franc. It was used for small denominations and was replaced in everyday circulation as the country moved toward the currency system used today. Although the word is rarely encountered now, it remains relevant in discussions of Guinean currency, exchange rates, and coin collecting. The expression is also notable for its irregular-looking plural: one sena becomes many senu. It should not be confused with senna, the plant whose dried leaves have long been used as a laxative. Both words entered European languages through Arabic and Portuguese, but sena ultimately became the name of a Guinean currency subdivision.
nounA former monetary unit of Guinea, equal to one hundredth of a Guinean franc.
- A former monetary unit of Guinea, equal to one hundredth of a Guinean franc.
"The coin was worth one sena."
"The price of the stamp was increased by five sena."
"Collectors paid several hundred senu for the rare coin."
The standard plural of sena is senu.
"The collection contained several coins worth one senu each."
Its plural changes shape: one sena, many senu.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sena come from?
The word entered European languages through Portuguese sená, which was borrowed from Arabic sanāʾ. The same Arabic term also underlies senna, the name of the laxative plant. SENA was adopted as the subunit of the Guinean franc when Guinea established its own currency system in the early 1960s.
How sena is actually used
The unit was used alongside the Guinean franc and is now largely obsolete, surviving in numismatic and historical contexts. Its singular is sena and its plural is senu.
Easily confused with sena
Senna is a plant whose dried leaves have traditionally been used as a laxative, whereas sena is a former monetary unit of Guinea.