nopal
Americannoun
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any of several cacti of the genus Nopalea, resembling the prickly pear.
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the fruit of such a cactus, or of a similar cactus, as the prickly pear.
noun
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any of various cactuses of the genus Nopalea, esp the red-flowered N. cochinellifera, which is a host plant of the cochineal insect
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a cactus, Opuntia lindheimeri, having yellow flowers and purple fruits See also prickly pear
Etymology
Origin of nopal
1720–30; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl nohpalli
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I laugh because I’m like, con el nopal en la frente,” she said, lightly slapping her forehead after uttering a colloquialism often used to emphasize someone’s evident Mexican roots via their appearance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2024
Pardo is buying some nopal cactus leaves, and has taken to eating more vegetables and beans instead of chicken and eggs, because of the prices.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 9, 2022
But her mother’s yard had plenty of nopal, a type of cactus that is also a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine.
From New York Times ● May 20, 2022
Heavy on the acidity, with a pronounced vegetal flavor, Fluère Smoked Agave not only tastes of its namesake, but nopal cactus, as well.
From Salon ● May 3, 2022
It’s a little slippery, and it’s no sopa de nopal, but I’d take it over bioloaf.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
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