Quetzal

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɛt.səl/

Definitions

1. A striking bird found in Central America characterized by its vibrant plumage and long tail, a currency used in Guatemala signifying economic aspects, and a term for the distinct greenish-blue hue seen in its feathers
2. An eye-catching avian species recognized for its colorful feathers and elongated tail, a form of monetary exchange in Guatemala highlighting cultural identity, and a description of the lush greenish-blue shade seen in its appearance
3. A vivid bird native to Central America known for its elaborate coloration and long tail feathers, a unit of currency in Guatemala representing economic value, and a name for the unique greenish-blue color found in its plumage

Etymology: The quetzal bird takes its name from a feather. In Classical Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec world, "quetzalli" meant a brightly colored tail feather, and the bird was known as "quetzaltōtōtl," literally the bird of those feathers. The feathers were prized across Mesoamerica, used in ceremonial headdresses and regalia, so the word came to stand for the feather's owner rather than the feather itself. The Nahuatl stem is "quetza," meaning "to raise" or "lift," which gives the feather a suggestive sense: the long plumes of the male bird rise and sway as it moves. The word passed into Spanish as "quetzal," and English later borrowed it from Spanish, keeping the Spanish spelling and sound.