cenote

[suh-noh-tee]

noun

1. a deep natural well or sinkhole, especially in Central America, formed by the collapse of surface limestone that exposes groundwater underneath.

cenote

/ sɪˈnəʊteɪ /

noun

1. (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 History and Origins

Origin of cenote¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from Mexican Spanish, from Yucatec Mayan tz'onot

Word History and Origins

Origin of cenote¹

C19: via Mexican Spanish from Maya conot

Example Sentences

It produced the open-face freshwater caverns known as “cenotes” and underground rivers that are in equal parts awe-inspiring and delicate, explained Emiliano Monroy-Ríos, a geologist at Northwestern University studying the region.

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They offer temazcal baths, traditional Mayan steam rooms meant to purify and relax the body, and charge visiting foreigners to swim in a nearby cenote.

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“Our operations have not adversely affected underground caves, cenotes or archaeological sites. In fact, we have mapped, protected and preserved these valuable resources,” the company said in a statement.

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To the ancient Maya, the cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula were sacred as they believed them to be portals to the gods of the underworld.

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The objects were excavated by archaeologist Edward H. Thompson, who owned the cenote in the early 20th century.

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