eptapalcatl

Classical Nahuatl

The iridescent nacre inside a nautilus shell.

Etymology

eptli (“oyster; pearl”) +‎ tapalcatl (“potsherd”)

Noun

eptapalcatl

1. Nacre; mother-of-pearl.
   • 1555, Alonso de Molina, Aqui comienca vn vocabulario en la lengua castellana y mexicana, f. 178v:

     Nacar de perla. eptapalcatl.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)