Nopal \No"pal\, n. [Mexican nopalli.] (Bot.) A cactaceous plant ({Nopalea cochinellifera}), originally Mexican, on which the cochineal insect feeds, and from which it is collected. The name is sometimes given to other species of {Cactace[ae]}.
nopal n 1: cactus having yellow flowers and purple fruits [syn: {Opuntia lindheimeri}] 2: any of several cacti of the genus Nopalea resembling prickly pears