copal

[ koh-puhl, -pal ]

noun

1. a hard, lustrous resin obtained from various tropical trees and used chiefly in making varnishes.

copal

/ -pæl; ˈkəʊpəl /

noun

1. a hard aromatic resin, yellow, orange, or red in colour, obtained from various tropical trees and used in making varnishes and lacquers

Word History and Origins

Origin of copal¹

1570–80; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl copalli

Word History and Origins

Origin of copal¹

C16: from Spanish, from Nahuatl copalli resin

Example Sentences

The scent of copal, a tree resin used by Mesoamerican cultures for spiritual, medicinal and practical rituals, wafts through the space.

From Salon

Still, copal can be up to 3 million years old.

From Science Daily

One volador runs a goblet with copal incense up and down the bodies of his colleagues.

From Los Angeles Times

This pretty kit contains mountain sage, frankincense, myrrh and white copal resin; a Selenite stick; crystals and a palo santo stick for smudging.

From Seattle Times

I promised to maintain a space for him on my ancestor altar always, my own small place of veneration where I burn copal and water my spirits with whatever they thirst for.

From Los Angeles Times