Cetzal
/ˈkɛt.səl/noun
A variant spelling of quetzal, a brightly colored Central American bird of the trogon family.
Did you know?The name ultimately comes from Nahuatl quetzalli, referring to the brilliant tail feather of the resplendent quetzal, which was prized in elite Aztec and Maya regalia.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Columbian period
Nahuatl
quetzalli
“A brilliant green feather, especially one from the resplendent quetzal”
16th Century
Spanish
quetzal
“The Central American bird named for its prized feathers”
19th Century
English
quetzal
“The adopted English name for the bird”
19th–20th Century
English
cetzal
“An alternative English spelling of quetzal”
Modern English
English
cetzal
“A rare variant spelling of quetzal”
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