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-k, uh, l , nah, -waht-l]. the variety of Nahuatl that served as the medium of Aztec civilization, aboriginally written in a chiefly pictographic script. Compare Nahuatl ( def 2 ).
3. the Nahuatl language.

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. See Nahuatl
   the language of the Aztecs See also Nahuatl

adjective

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

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aztec¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Aztec¹

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

Example Sentences

In response to growing hostilities from surrounding allies of the Aztec Empire, a multi-ethnic confederation of villages called Tlaxcallan built a densely occupied city of the same name.

From Science News

They were crouching on a chinampa, an island that appears to float in Lake Xochimilco, part of a complex ecosystem where the Aztec Empire once flourished.

From Popular-Science

As such the victors were often inducted into advanced training programs that focused on the handling of heavier melee weapons reserved for the elite fighters of the Aztec army.

From Realm of History

One of these series of ceremonies, held between February and April, was dedicated to the Aztec storm god Tlaloc and the war god Xipe.

From Realm of History

The Aztec, the Inca, and today’s Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, are very collectivistic.

From Freakonomics

Los Angeles was wonderfully exotic; a polyglot mix of Aztec, Incan, Mayan and New World scents and sounds.

From The Daily Beast

Take Huitzilopochtli, the typically tongue-twisting Aztec name of an old hummingbird god.

From The Daily Beast

Standouts were the liquidy column dresses, presented in colors named chili pepper and Aztec blue.

From The Daily Beast

Filming in Mexico City, where his tutor would supplement world-history lessons with trips to nearby Aztec ruins.

From The Daily Beast

The Spaniards capitalized on her Aztec roots to colonize Mexico.

From The Daily Beast

Shrouded in mystery, they seemed a fit emblem of the Aztec past, whose buried histories still haunt this ancient land.

From Project Gutenberg

Having now examined the nature of the Aztec faith, let us, for a while, linger upon the fruits which it produced.

From Project Gutenberg

We find a strong offset to the horror of Aztec cruelty in the very Bible, which we regard as the mainstay of our religious world.

From Project Gutenberg

The language of the nations among which these institutions were first established was doubtless the Nahua, or old Aztec.

From Project Gutenberg

Reinforced by some Tepanec troops in Aztec dress, they made several raids for plunder against Tenayocan and the adjoining towns.

From Project Gutenberg