Montezuma II

American  

[mon-tuh-zoo-muh] / ˌmɒn təˈzu mə /

noun

1. c1470–1520, last Aztec emperor of Mexico 1502–20.

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Montezuma II British  

/ ˌmɒntɪˈzuːmə /

noun

1. 1466–1520, Aztec emperor of Mexico (?1502–20). He was overthrown and killed by the Spanish conquistador Cortés

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Etymology

Origin of Montezuma II

From Spanish, from Nahuatl Motēuczōmah, Motēcuhzōmah, equivalent to mo- reflexive pronoun + tēuc(tli) “lord, nobleman” + zōmah “frowned in anger,” i.e., “the one who became angry like a nobleman”

Example Sentences

The Aztec emperor, Montezuma II, was convinced at first that Cortés was a god wearing armor.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2012

Cortes managed to take the emperor Montezuma II hostage, but after Montezuma died during an uprising of the Mexica, apparently from wounds inflicted by his own people, the Spaniards were driven from the city.

From Time Magazine Archive

Rumors arose that the long-lost treasure of Montezuma II, the Aztec emperor at the time of the Spanish conquest, had finally been located.

From Time Magazine Archive

Their emperor was Montezuma II, who sent messengers to remonstrate against the advance of Cortés.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 09 by Johnson, Rossiter

Montezuma II, Aztec ruler, 28; death of, 33.

From The Colonization of North America 1492-1783 by Bolton, Herbert Eugene