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quetzal Definition

quet·zal (ket säl′)

noun

  1. a crested trogon bird (Pharomachrus mocinno) of Central America, usually brilliant green above and red below, with long, streaming tail feathers in the male
  2. pl. quetzales -·zal′·es (-sä′les) the basic monetary unit of Guatemala

Etymology: AmSp < Nahuatl quetzaltototl < quetzalli, tail feather + tototls, bird

quetzal Finance Definition
The currency unit of Guatemala, comprised of 100 centavos.
quetzal Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • see: Later in the morning as we left Trogon Lodge we saw a sparkling male Quetzal from the bus!

Adjective modifier

  • resplendent: Finally, we headed into the cloud forest in search of the elusive resplendent quetzal.
  • golden-headed: We birded around San Isidro on our own the next morning, turning up both Crested and Golden-headed Quetzals.
  • male: Later in the morning as we left Trogon Lodge we saw a sparkling male Quetzal from the bus!
  • elusive: Finally, we headed into the cloud forest in search of the elusive resplendent quetzal.

Modifies a noun

  • bird: The figure depicts an Aztec priest plumed, with the feathers of the Quetzal bird.