cenote
[suh-noh-tee]
- a deep natural well or sinkhole, especially in Central America, formed by the collapse of surface limestone that exposes ground water underneath, and sometimes used by the ancient Mayans for sacrificial offerings.
Origin of cenote
1835–45; < Mexican Spanish < Yucatec Mayan
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for cenote
Historical Examples
For these the Mayan Indian name is "cenote," and they are often huge.
The American EgyptChanning Arnold
The floor of this cenote is near the watertable but not below it.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan PeninsulaErwin E. Klaas
Dinny led on rapidly till they reached the turning in the direction of the old temple which contained the cenote.
Commodore JunkGeorge Manville Fenn
Probably the swallows were nesting in the cenote although the nests were inaccessible to view.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan PeninsulaErwin E. Klaas
cenote
- (esp in the Yucatán peninsula) a natural well formed by the collapse of an overlying limestone crust: often used as a sacrificial site by the Mayas
Word Origin
C19: via Mexican Spanish from Maya conot
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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