maravilla
UK[ˌmærəˈvɪlə]US[ˌmærəˈviːjə]
n
A marvellous or wonderful thing; a marvel.
n
(in Spanish) The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus).
Etymology
The word 'maravilla' entered English as a direct borrowing from Spanish, retaining its original spelling and pronunciation. Its ultimate source is the Late Latin neuter plural noun 'mirabilia', meaning "wonderful things", which itself stems from the Latin verb 'mirari', "to wonder at". The semantic core of "wonder" or "marvel" has remained remarkably stable through this journey from Latin to Spanish to English. In its specialized botanical sense, it reflects the plant's impressive and admired qualities, such as its large, striking flower head that turns to follow the sun.
Analysis
The word is a direct loan from Spanish, where it functions as a single lexical unit. It is derived from Late Latin 'mirabilia', meaning "wonderful things". The Spanish form 'maravilla' is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes in English usage.
Examples
The sunset over the mountains was an absolute maravilla.
She grows maravillas in her garden for their cheerful, bright faces.
The ancient architecture was considered a maravilla of engineering.