papalotl

Etymology

From paloā (“to sip”), according to Andrews (2003).

Pronunciation

Karttunen (1983) writes pāpālōtl; Andrews (2003) writes pāpalōtl.

• IPA^(key): /paːˈpaloːt͡ɬ/

Noun

pāpalōtl (animate, plural pāpalōmeh)

1. butterfly
   • 1555: Alonso de Molina, Aqui comienca vn vocabulario en la lengua castellana y mexicana, f. 165r.

     Maripoſa generalmente. papalotl.

     A butterfly generally. papalotl.

   • 1571: Idem, Vocabulario en lengua castellana y mexicana y mexicana y castellana, f. 79v. col. 2.

     Papalotepito. maripoſa pequeña. / Papalotl. maripoſa. / Papalotontli. maripoſa pequeña.

     Papalotepito. a small butterfly. / Papalotl. a butterfly. / Papalotontli. a small butterfly.

   • c1600: Anonymous, Anónimo mexicano, f. 2v.

     quicauyia yn tlen cacia yolcame papalome-

     and they ate whatever they found, insects and butterflies.

References

• J. Richard Andrews (2003) Workbook for Introduction to Classical Nahuatl, Revised Edition, University of Oklahoma Press, page 244
• Frances Karttunen (1983) An Analytical Dictionary of Nahuatl, University of Texas Press, page 187
• Alonso de Molina (2008) Vocabulario en lengua castellana y mexicana y mexicana y castellana (1571), Editorial Porrúa, page 79