macajuel

English

Etymology

From Latin American Spanish [Term?], ultimately from a Native American language.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɑk.ɑ.wɛl/, /mæk.ə.wɛl/

Noun

macajuel (plural macajuels)

1. (chiefly Trinidad and Tobago) A Boa constrictor.
   • 2001, Hans E. A. Boos, The Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago, Texas A&M University Press, →ISBN, page 57:

     Danger is also attributed to their breath — no macajuel should "blow" on [some]one. […] This belief persists and is attributable to the fact that an enraged or injured macajuel will hiss and "blow" loudly.

   • 2015, Sabrina Ramnanan, Nothing Like Love, →ISBN, page 246:

     "Macajuels ain't poisonous." She glanced over his shoulder into the distance. Faizal frowned. How did they know so much about snakes?