The word 'nopal' originally came from Amerindian as 'nopalli'

'Nopal' is a word borrowed from Amerindian 'nopalli'. The word entered the English language some time around 1730.

nopal [noun] [1730]

• any of a genus (Nopalea) of cacti of Mexico and Central America that differ from the prickly pears in having erect pe...
• prickly pear
• a fleshy young tender stem segment of the prickly pear cactus (especially ) or the nopal cactus used as food

See 'nopal' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Amerindian.

Etymology: Spanish, from Nahuatl 'nohpalli'

See more loan words from 1700s.