maguey

American  

[mag-wey, muh-gey, mah-gey] / ˈmæg weɪ, məˈgeɪ, mɑˈgeɪ /

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.

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maguey British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of maguey

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

Compare meaning

How does maguey compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• maguey vs. agave

Example Sentences

In his grief, Quetzalcoatl planted Mayahuel's remains, from which a maguey plant grew.

From Salon • Dec. 3, 2024

Juchitán is a grueling, five-hour drive from Oaxaca City past parched Sierra Madre peaks spiked with maguey, the raw ingredient of mezcal.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2024

Some steam adobo-marinated goat wrapped in maguey leaves in an oven.

From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2021

Mr. Sánchez is busy finding sources for the skin peeled from maguey leaves, the traditional wrapper in Mexico.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2021

We pass milpitas, and big spiky maguey plants with white sheets and colorful laundry drying upon them.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads