agave

[ uh-gah-vee, uh-gey- ]

/ əˈgɑ vi, əˈgeɪ- /

noun

any of numerous American plants belonging to the genus Agave, of the agave family, species of which are cultivated for economic or ornamental purposes: A. arizonica, of central Arizona, is an endangered species.

Nearby words

agatha, agatho, agathocles, agathon, agatize, agave, agave family, agawam, agaze, agaña, agba

Origin of agave

< New Latin (Linnaeus) < Greek agauḗ, feminine of agauós noble, brilliant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for agave

The agave juice is then extracted using a round stone wheel called a tahona before being distilled twice.
Grab A Shot Glass: Craft Tequila Needs Your Help|Kayleigh Kulp|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Agave plants take up to 10 years to mature before being harvested.
Grab A Shot Glass: Craft Tequila Needs Your Help|Kayleigh Kulp|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tequila, the Mexican spirit made from the agave plant, can be found in bars around the world.
Business Longreads for the Week of October 19, 2013|William O’Connor|October 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Just before serving, add some more lemon juice, salt, pepper, and agave to balance.
Three Quinoa Recipes for Your Weekend Parties|Jane Coxwell|May 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Another choice is agave nectar, made from a type of cactus that grows in Mexico (yes, tequila fans, that cactus).
How to Watch Out for Hidden Sugar and Replace With Leaner Substitutes|Diana Le Dean|February 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Of all these properties of the agave the Toltecs were cognizant.
Mexico|Susan Hale
The Indians, in the ancient cities of Mexico, satisfied their need for pins by using the thorn of the agave.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge|Various
Close to where I had seated myself grew a large plant of the Mexican aloe (agave Americana).
The War Trail|Mayne Reid
Many plants have spines or thorns, and succulent plants like agave, aloe and prickly pear are common.
Modern Geography|Marion I. Newbigin
Broken with grief, Agave passes out slowly to her banishment.
Authors of Greece|T. W. Lumb

British Dictionary definitions for agave

agave

/ (əˈɡeɪvɪ, ˈæɡeɪv) /

noun

any plant of the genus Agave, native to tropical America, with tall flower stalks rising from a massive, often armed, rosette of thick fleshy leaves: family Agavaceae. Some species are the source of fibres such as sisal or of alcoholic beverages such as pulque and tequilaSee also century plant

Word Origin for agave

C18: New Latin, from Greek agauē, feminine of agauos illustrious, probably alluding to the height of the plant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012