tonalchilli

Classical Nahuatl

Etymology

From tōnalli (“heat of the sun”) +‎ chīlli (“chili”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [toːnaɬˈt͡ʃiː.lːi]

Noun

tōnalchīlli (inanimate)

1. A chili plant that must be irrigated in order to grow; one that grows during the dry season.
   • 1571, Alonso de Molina, Vocabulario en lengua castellana y mexicana y mexicana y castellana, f. 149r. col. 2:

     Tonalchilli.axi de regadio, que ſe haze en tiempo / que no llueue.

     Tonalchilli. a chili [plant] that needs irrigation; that grows when it does not rain.

Related terms

• tōnalco

References

• Alonso de Molina (2008) Vocabulario en lengua castellana y mexicana y mexicana y castellana (1571), Editorial Porrúa, page 149