nopal

[ noh-puhl, noh-pahl, -pal ]

noun

1. any of several cacti of the genus Nopalea, resembling the prickly pear.
2. the fruit of such a cactus, or of a similar cactus, as the prickly pear.

nopal

/ ˈnəʊpəl /

noun

1. any of various cactuses of the genus Nopalea, esp the red-flowered N. cochinellifera, which is a host plant of the cochineal insect
2. a cactus, Opuntia lindheimeri, having yellow flowers and purple fruits See also prickly pear

Word History and Origins

Origin of nopal¹

1720–30; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl nohpalli

Word History and Origins

Origin of nopal¹

C18: from Spanish, from Nahuatl nopálli cactus

Example Sentences

Several plantations of nopal, or cactus, were laid out, and the first harvest was gathered in 1858.

From Project Gutenberg

Illness may also result from small stones, or the spine of the nopal placed in the body by the same agency.

From Project Gutenberg

In the central part of the country they use a spear made of a thin reed and tipped with thorns of the nopal.

From Project Gutenberg

The "nopal" or prickly pears have been rooted up, as well as most of the vines and figs.

From Project Gutenberg

"I think he is going to make an offering of the new bow to Chinigchinich," answered Nopal.

From Project Gutenberg