Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MAG'UEY, n.

A species of Agave in Mexico, which furnished the natives with a material for their buildings. Its leaves were used for covering the roofs of their houses, and for paper, clothing and cordage. Encyc. The maguey is a species of the genus Agave, and is now cultivated in Mexico, for the purpose of preparing from its leaves a spirituous liquor called pulque. Humboldt.