First Known Use: 1730
Dictionary
nopal
noun no·pal \nō-ˈpäl, -ˈpal; ˈnō-pəl\
plural nopals or no·pal·es \nō-ˈpä-lās, -ˈpa-\
Definition of NOPAL
1
: any of a genus (Nopalea) of cacti of Mexico and Central America that differ from the prickly pears in having erect petals and scarlet flowers with the stamens much longer than the petals; broadly : prickly pear
2
: a fleshy young tender stem segment of the prickly pear cactus (especially Opuntia ficus-indica) or the nopal cactus used as food
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Origin of NOPAL
Spanish, from Nahuatl nohpalli
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