Bonaveria

/ˌboʊnəˈveɪriə/ noun

Definition

A historical or botanical term of uncertain meaning, possibly a place name, plant variety, or specialized regional nomenclature from early modern commerce.

Etymology

Etymology unclear; possibly from Italian or Spanish combining 'bona' (good) with '-veria' (uncertain suffix), or a proper noun that became generalized.

Kelly Says

Bonaveria might be a ghost of Renaissance spice trade terminology—merchants traveling from Italy to Asia invented vocabulary for hundreds of goods Europeans had never seen, and most of these words vanished when the goods became common!

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