agave
[uh-gah-vee, uh-gey-]
- 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.
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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. 2018
Examples from the Web for agave
Contemporary Examples
The agave juice is then extracted using a round stone wheel called a tahona before being distilled twice.
Agave plants take up to 10 years to mature before being harvested.
Tequila, the Mexican spirit made from the agave plant, can be found in bars around the world.
Just before serving, add some more lemon juice, salt, pepper, and agave to balance.
Another choice is agave nectar, made from a type of cactus that grows in Mexico (yes, tequila fans, that cactus).
Historical Examples
The maguey—the Agave americana—was an invaluable ally of life and civilisation.
MexicoCharles Reginald Enock
Maguey-sugar is derived from the sap of the maguey-plant (Agave Americana).
Commercial GeographyJacques W. Redway
I behold the maguey of culture (Agave Americana), in all its giant proportions.
The Rifle RangersCaptain Mayne Reid
The agave has served them for many other purposes, from the earliest times.
MexicoSusan Hale
Of all these properties of the agave the Toltecs were cognizant.
MexicoSusan Hale
agave
- 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
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for agave
n.
American aloe plant, 1797, from Latin Agave, from Greek Agaue, proper name in mythology (mother of Pentheus), from agauos "noble," perhaps from agasthai "wonder at," from gaiein "to rejoice, exult," with intensive prefix a-. The name seems to have been taken generically by botanists, the plant perhaps so called for its "stately" flower stem.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper