zopilote

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish zopilote, from Classical Nahuatl tzopīlōtl.

Noun

zopilote (plural zopilotes)

  1. A New World vulture of the family Cathartidae, especially the black vulture (Coragyps atratus).
    • 2016, Lawrence Swaim, Dangerous Pilgrims:
      I was laying absolutely still in the cab of the wrecked truck —I had the crazy idea that if I did not move, I would bleed less—and I looked out of the hole where the windshield had been and saw a zopilote perched on the hood of the truck.

Spanish

Etymology

From Classical Nahuatl tzopīlōtl.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /so.pi.ˈlo.te/
  • Rhymes: -ote

Noun

zopilote m (plural zopilotes)

  1. a zopilote, a buzzard, a vulture
    Synonyms: buitre, gallinazo, jote

Usage notes

Zopilote is used predominantly in Mexico, Peru, and some parts of Central America, buitre is used as the official term in Central America & elsewhere. Chupilote is an interesting variation among people in central Mexico, probably a conflation with the verb chupar, meaning to suck. In Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador it's known as gallinazo.

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