city in Italy, Italian Genova, from Latin Genua, perhaps from a PIE root meaning "curve, bend," which could make it a cognate of Geneva. Other theories hold it to be perhaps from janua "gate," or from the Italic god Janus. Adjective forms in English included Middle English Genoway (also in plural, Janeways), c.1400, from Old French Genoveis, from Italian Genovese. In later English, Genoese (1550s); Genovese (c.1600); Genoan (c.1600); Genovesian (1620s).