datil

The queen palm, Syagrus romanzoffiana, or its leaf fibers used for weaving.

Noun

  1. The queen palm, Syagrus romanzoffiana, or its leaf fibers used for weaving.
  2. Mexican yucca or its leaf fibers.

Origin

From American Spanish dátil (“date”), from Catalan dàtil. Doublet of dactyl, dactylus, and date.

Forms

datils

Derived

datil yucca

Noun Entry 2

  1. A datil pepper, a very spicy pepper of the species Capsicum chinense.
    • The first Datil was probably brought to the United States from the West Indies during either the British period or the second Spanish occupation of East Florida (1784–1821).[…] The word “Dátil” refers to the fruit of...
    • No one knows if the colonists brought datil peppers with them.[…] More than likely the Minorcans did give the incendiary peppers their name, for the green to gold pods somewhat resemble dates, a linkage cemented by the...

Origin

Uncertain. Perhaps from Catalan dàtil or Spanish dátil (“date”); see quotes below.

Forms

datils