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

The following spring, all the magueys on the hill sprouted stalks that bore the graffiti that declared their eternal love, a bit of magical realism that’s also one of the great reveals in ranchera history.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Washington Post

At 66 I haven’t got a lot of time left before I transmogrify into a maguey.

From New York Times

Mezcal made from maguey espadín, the most common maguey, has a fruity, pineapple aroma and flavor.

From New York Times

The mezcal also supplies some of the vegetal undertones of the maguey plant from which it is distilled.

From New York Times