teocalli

[ tee-uh-kal-ee, tey-uh-kah-lee; Spanish te-aw-kah-yee ]

noun

, plural te·o·cal·lis [tee-, uh, -, kal, -eez, tey-, uh, -, kah, -leez, te-aw-, kah, -yees].

1. a ceremonial structure of the Aztecs, consisting of a truncated terraced pyramid supporting a temple.

teocalli

/ ˌtiːəʊˈkælɪ /

noun

1. any of various truncated pyramids built by the Aztecs as bases for their temples

Word History and Origins

Origin of teocalli¹

1605–15; < Nahuatl, equivalent to teō ( tl ) god + calli house

Word History and Origins

Origin of teocalli¹

C17: from Nahuatl, from teotl god + calli house

Example Sentences

The distribution of the Mexican teocalli and pyramid is also plainly traceable from the south.

From Project Gutenberg

Great bonfires shot up from the teocalli, and they could see the savages swarming to overwhelm them.

From Project Gutenberg

As it was, the survivors saw later three score of their comrades butchered upon the altar of the great teocalli.

From Project Gutenberg

He was then conducted to a teocalli some three miles from the city of Mexico.

From Project Gutenberg

Inside these were kept the idols of the gods to whom the teocalli was sacred.

From Project Gutenberg