Quezal

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A brightly colored bird found primarily in Central America, known for its striking green feathers and long tail
2. A member of the family Trogonidae, this avian species is famous for its vibrant plumage and elusive nature
3. A forest-dwelling bird recognizable by its vivid coloration and distinctive tail, often associated with mountainous regions

Etymology: The bird's name arrived in English through Spanish, but it began life in Classical Nahuatl as a word for a feather. "Quetzalli" referred to a brightly colored tail feather, and the word was tied to the verb "quetza," meaning "to raise" or "lift." The name belonged first to the feather, and only afterward to the bird that grew it, a sense that reflects how prized those plumes were in the region. Spanish speakers adopted the word as "quetzal," and it passed into English in that form. This entry is the archaic spelling "quezal," an older way of writing the same term, now rare outside historical or literary contexts.

Synonyms: quetzal