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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of nopal

1720–30; < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl nohpalli

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nopal

That is the sign of the insects working beneath, drawing nourishment from the juices of the nopal and protecting themselves with the waxy powder.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 1, 2023

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

Three hours northwest of Mexico City, this community of 3,000 people is surrounded by razor-sharp cactuses, like the nopal, and sun-scorched desert trees, like the palo dulce.

From New York Times ● Mar. 21, 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

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