milla
milla Lexical Profile
• noun
A genus of perennial bulbous flowering plants in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, characterized by narrow leaves and striking star-shaped white flowers.
"The horticulturist planted several bulbs of milla in the rock garden to study their nocturnal blooming habits."
A traditional Spanish unit of linear measure, equivalent to a Spanish mile (approximately 1,392 meters), used historically in Spain and its former territories.
"Historical land grants in the region often recorded property boundaries and distances in leagues and millas."
• Rhymes for milla
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The botanical genus was named in the late 18th century by Antonio José Cavanilles in honor of Julián Milla, head gardener at the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid. As a historical unit of measurement, it is the Spanish word for 'mile', derived from the Latin 'milia' (thousands of paces).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.