nagual

American  

[nah-gwahl, -wahl] / nɑˈgwɑl, -ˈwɑl /

noun

1. a guardian spirit among Mexican and Central American Indians, believed to reside in an animal.

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Other Word Forms

• nagualism noun

Etymology

Origin of nagual

< Mexican Spanish nagual, nahual < Nahuatl nāhualli

Example Sentences

“Well, hello. Welcome back, preciosa,” the nagual said, showing his green-gray teeth as he grinned at me.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

No longer disguised as a domesticated donkey, the nagual, dressed in a soiled black robe, was standing over a huge bubbling cauldron.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

“Oh no, you don’t,” the nagual said, using my elbows as leverage to lift me from the ground.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

At the top of the hill, a youthful Tonantzin, the Goddess of Sustenance, the girl who had saved us from the nagual, lifted her arms to welcome us, her beloved daughters.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Even though they weren’t saying much, their faces reflected the horrifying recognition that even if this wasn’t the nagual, they might be in great danger.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall