Word Study
nopal
CIDE DICTIONARY
nopal, n. [Mexican nopalli.].
A cactaceous plant (Nopalea cochinellifera ), originally Mexican, on which the cochineal insect feeds, and from which it is collected. The name is sometimes given to other species of Cactaceæ . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
nopal, n. any American cactus of the genus Nopalea, esp. N. cochinellifera grown in plantations for breeding cochineal.
Etymology
F & Sp. f. Nahuatl nopalli cactus
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