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

It was a Chiriqui quetzal, perched upon a small slab brought from Palenque and fastened as a bracket above the fireplace.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the home of the resplendent trogon, called the quetzal—the imperial bird of the Quiches.

From Project Gutenberg

While the king, his warriors and people, are gathered to the combat, Quetzal steps from the canoe to the sea-shore.

From Project Gutenberg

A certain lord in the palace, who goes thrice a week to the shrine of Quetzal, has faith in the gossip and the paba.

From Project Gutenberg

Prince of Tezcuco, he said, son of the wise Hualpilli, from the sun Quetzal looks down on the earth.

From Project Gutenberg