| 释义 |
quetzal|ˈkɛtsəl|
Also quezal, quesal.
[a. Sp. quetzal, older quetzale, a. Aztec quetzalli a tail-feather of the bird called quetzaltototl (f. the comb. form of quetzalli + tototl bird).]
1. An extremely beautiful bird (Pharomachrus mocino) of Central America (esp. Guatemala), belonging to the Trogon family; the cock is remarkable for its long tail-coverts, of a resplendent golden-green colour.
1827J. Wilson Let. in Mem. iv. (1859) 124 That long-tailed fellow, the quezal from Vera Paz. 1838J. Gould Trogonidæ Plate 21, Trogon resplendens..Habitat Guatimala in Mexico, where it is called Quesal. 1864G. R. Mathew Let. in Ld. Malmesbury Mem. Ex-Minister (1885) 586 One of the famed ‘quezals’, whose plumage under the Aztec Emperor was reserved for imperial wear. 1887W. T. Brigham (title) Guatemala, the Land of the Quetzal. 1930R. Macaulay Staying with Relations ii. 26 Above their heads a quetzal, bright emblem of his country, his lovely tail caught in a liquorice vine. 1950Caribbean Q. II. ii. 24 The gorgeous plumage of the Macaw, the Quetzal and the Wild Turkey were sewn or gummed, feather by feather, onto cotton cloth to form resplendent cloaks. 1961Guardian 22 May 5/4 The quetzal is a bird of rainbow plumage which symbolises Central America. 1978Washington Post 7 July b2/3 The normal heart rejoices to think of wolves and quetzals flourishing in the great world.
2. (Pl. quetzales.) The name of a silver Guatemalan coin, initially equivalent to one U.S. dollar, and comprising 100 centavos.
1928Whitaker's Almanack 778 Revenue (Budget, 1927–28) Quetzals 11,031,102. 1962R. A. G. Carson Coins 433 The coinage reform [in Guatemala] of 1924 created a new unit the quetzal in silver with subdivisions and with multiples in gold..on obverse the quetzal, a Central American bird of the parrot family. 1974Nat. Geographic Nov. 673 For five quetzals (five dollars, U.S.) I savored a grilled filet mignon, [etc.]. 1977Westworld (Vancouver, B.C.) May–June 20/2 The average income of a [Guatemalan peasant] family ranges from 200 to 300 quetzales a year (a quetzal equals one American dollar). |