quetzal

[ ket-sahl ]

noun

, plural quet·zals, quet·za·les [ket-, sah, -leys].

1. any of several large Central and South American trogons of the genus Pharomachrus, having golden-green and scarlet plumage, especially P. mocino resplendent quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala: rare and possibly endangered.
2. a paper money and monetary unit of Guatemala, equal to 100 centavos. : Q.

quetzal

/ ˈkɛtsəl; kɛˈsɑːl /

noun

1. Also calledresplendent trogon a crested bird, Pharomachrus mocinno, of Central and N South America, which has a brilliant green, red, and white plumage and, in the male, long tail feathers: family Trogonidae, order Trogoniformes (trogons)
2. the standard monetary unit of Guatemala, divided into 100 centavos

Word History and Origins

Origin of quetzal¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin American Spanish, from Nahuatl quetzalli “plumage of the quetzal bird”

Word History and Origins

Origin of quetzal¹

via American Spanish from Nahuatl quetzalli brightly coloured tail feather

Example Sentences

They chose to paint it “quetzal,” a rich aqua color that serves as a uniting element for the room’s other pedestals.

From New York Times

Guatemalan authorities said they also seized documents, books, a laptop, compact discs, two cell phones, and a stuffed bird, possibly a quetzal, the symbol of Guatemala.

From Reuters

Red, blue, green, and gold drinks fan out like a quetzal’s rainbow of feathers across the six clear trays on Crick’s cart.

From Literature

Paintings and decals of quetzals, the long-plumed, vibrantly colored national bird of Guatemala, are as common as murals of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

From Los Angeles Times

She serves the family lunch, then sits with them, helping the girls draw birds, including the Guatemalan quetzal, a reminder of Central America, the land they left.

From Los Angeles Times