nopal

American  

[noh-puhl, noh-pahl, -pal] / ˈnoʊ pəl, noʊˈpɑl, -ˈpæl /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of nopal

1720–30; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl nohpalli

Example Sentences

It comes from the crushed bodies of tiny female insects that contain carminic acid and feed on the pads of nopal cactus plants.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 1, 2023

Inspired by the nopal cactus of Mexico, this bath set is one you want to keep on deck.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 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

Try the quarter chicken with charro beans and nopal salad.

From Washington Post • Jan. 7, 2022

I can literally walk up to any nopal in town and cut off a paddle.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez