Agave
/əˈɡɑːvi/noun
A succulent plant of the Americas, many species of which are used to make fibers, syrup, and tequila.
Did you know?Agave was named by Linnaeus from Greek agauos, meaning “noble” or “illustrious,” so its scientific name carries a strangely regal vibe for a desert survivor.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀγαυός (agauós)
“noble, illustrious, admirable”
18th Century
Latin
Agave
“A genus name coined by Linnaeus for the plant”
Modern English
English
agave
“A genus of succulent plants, especially those yielding fiber, syrup, or spirits”
Modern Spanish
Spanish
agave
“A borrowed scientific/common name for the plant in many Spanish-speaking contexts”