Aztec

[ az-tek ]

noun
  1. a member of a Nahuatl-speaking state in central Mexico that was conquered by Cortés in 1521.

  2. Also called clas·si·cal Na·hua·tl [klas-i-kuhl nah-waht-l] /ˈklæs ɪ kəl ˈnɑ wɑt l/ . the variety of Nahuatl that served as the medium of Aztec civilization, aboriginally written in a chiefly pictographic script.: Compare Nahuatl (def. 2).

  1. the Nahuatl language.

Origin of Aztec

1
1780–90; <Spanish azteca<Nahuatl aztēcah, plural of aztēcatl person from Aztlān, the legendary place of origin of the Aztecs

Other words from Aztec

  • Az·tec·an, adjective
  • post-Az·tec, adjective

Words Nearby Aztec

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How to use Aztec in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for Aztec

Aztec

/ (ˈæztɛk) /


noun
  1. a member of a Mexican Indian people who established a great empire, centred on the valley of Mexico, that was overthrown by Cortés and his followers in the early 16th century

  2. the language of the Aztecs: See also Nahuatl

adjectiveAlso: Aztecan
  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Aztecs, their civilization, or their language

Origin of Aztec

1
C18: from Spanish Azteca, from Nahuatl Aztecatl, from Aztlan, their traditional place of origin, literally: near the cranes, from azta cranes + tlan near

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