nopal

no·pal

noun \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

Origin of NOPAL

Spanish, from Nahuatl nohpalli

First Known Use: 1730

Rhymes with NOPAL

Algol, atoll, austral, Bhopal, cabal, Cabral, cantal, Chagall, chorale, grand mal, gun moll, hamal, jacal, mistral, narwhal, Natal, Pascal, petrol, quetzal, Rampal, real, rial, riyal, Rizal, Shawwal, tical, timbale, Transvaal