city in Italy, Italian Genova, from Latin Genua, perhaps from a PIE root meaning "curve, bend," which means it could be a cognate of Geneva. Other theories hold it to be perhaps from janua "gate," or in reference to 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 is from 1550s; Genovese from c.1600.