What is "genoa"

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.

n. 1 (context nautical English) A staysail that resembles a jib but extends aft beyond the mast. 2 Genoa cake

The genoa was originally referred to as an "overlapping jib" and later as a Genoa jib. It is a type of large jib or staysail that overlaps the main sail, sometimes eliminating it. It is used on single-masted sloops and twin-masted boats such as yawls and ketches. Its larger surface area increases the speed of the craft in light to moderate winds; in high wind conditions a smaller jib is usually substituted, and downwind a spinnaker may be used. The feature that distinguishes a genoa from a working jib is that the former extends past the mast, overlapping the mainsail when viewed from the side.

Genoa is a city and port in Liguria, Italy.

Genoa may also refer to:

• The Republic of Genoa, a state in Liguria from ca. 1100 to 1805 with various possessions in the Mediterranean

Genoa ( ; ; Genoese and Ligurian Zena ; Latin and archaic English Genua) is the capital of Liguria and the sixth largest city in Italy with a population of 588,688 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area called Genoa Metropolitan City has an official population of 862,885. Over 1.5 million people live in the Genoa Metropolitan Area. Genoa is one of Europe's largest cities on the Mediterranean Sea and the largest seaport in Italy.

Genoa has been nicknamed la Superba ("the Proud one") due to its glorious past and impressive landmarks. Part of the old town of Genoa was inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006 (see below). The city's rich cultural history in notably its art, music and cuisine allowed it to become the 2004 European Capital of Culture. It is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and Niccolò Paganini.

Genoa, which forms the southern corner of the Milan-Turin-Genoa industrial triangle of north-west Italy, is one of the country’s major economic centres. The city has hosted massive shipyards and steelworks since the 19th century, and its solid financial sector dates back to the Middle Ages. The Bank of Saint George, founded in 1407, is among the oldest in the world and has played an important role in the city’s prosperity since the middle of the 15th century. Today a number of leading Italian companies are based in the city, including Selex ES, Ansaldo Energia, Ansaldo STS, Edoardo Raffinerie Garrone, Piaggio Aerospace and Costa Cruises.