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Agave (3 syl.)

or “American aloe,” from the Greek, agauos, admirable. The Mexicans plant fences of Agavē round their wigwams, as a defence against wild beasts. The Mahometans of Egypt regard it as a charm and religious symbol; and pilgrims to Mecca indicate their exploit by hanging over the door of their dwelling a leaf of Agavē, which has the further charm of warding off evil spirits. The Jews in Cairo attribute a similar virtue to the plant, every part of which is utilised.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Agamemnon
Aganicē
Aganippe
Agape
Agapemone
Agape tæ
Agate
Ag ate
Agatha
Agathà (St.)
Agave
Agdistes (self-indulgence)
Age as accords (To)
Age of Animals
Age of Women (The)
Age of the Bishops (The)
Age of the Popes (The)
Agĕ hoc
Ages
Agelasta
Agenorides