maguey

[ mag-wey, muh-gey; Spanish mah-gey ]

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Agave, of the agave family, especially the cantala, A. cantala.
2. the fiber from these plants.
3. a rope made from this or a similar fiber.

maguey

/ ˈmæɡweɪ /

noun

1. any of various tropical American agave plants of the genera Agave or Furcraea, esp one that yields a fibre or is used in making an alcoholic beverage
2. the fibre from any of these plants, used esp for rope

Word History and Origins

Origin of maguey¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Spanish, from Taíno

Word History and Origins

Origin of maguey¹

C16: Spanish, from Taino

Example Sentences

Ximbó — a rare form of chicken barbacoa — which, in the Indigenous Otomi language of Hñahñu Otomi, means “maguey stalks,” is hidden in the Bay Area

From Eater

It was a capacious one, made of the strong plaited thread of the maguey.

From Project Gutenberg

We reached the town in a motor-car, passing through well cultivated fields of maguey.

From Project Gutenberg

These poles were the flower stalks of the great American aloe, or maguey-plant—the only thing resembling wood that grew near.

From Project Gutenberg

They were then tied upon poles of maguey, and set upright over the carcasses, so as to dangle and dance about in the wind.

From Project Gutenberg

A specimen found sitting on a maguey plant in the daytime was pale ashy gray with a pale green upper lip.

From Project Gutenberg