Toltec

American  

[tohl-tek, tol-] / ˈtoʊl tɛk, ˈtɒl- /

noun

Toltecs, plural Toltec plural

1. a member of an Indian people living in central Mexico before the advent of the Aztecs and traditionally credited with laying the foundation of Aztec culture.

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adjective

1. Also Toltecan. of or relating to the Toltecs.

Toltec British  

/ ˈtɒltɛk /

noun

1. a member of a Central American Indian people who dominated the valley of Mexico from their capital Tula from about 950 to 1160 _ad , when the valley was overrun by the Aztecs

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adjective

1. of or relating to this people

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Toltec
  plural
• Toltecs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Toltec

< Mexican Spanish tolteca < Nahuatl tōltēcah , plural of tōltēcatl person from Tōllān Tula

Example Sentences

From their capital at Tula, the Toltec dominated central Mexico between the tenth and twelfth centuries CE.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

O.J.’s face was a sculptor’s dream, like a Toltec mask.”

From Golf Digest • Apr. 2, 2020

Because the companies that built the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic’s steam locomotives went out of business decades ago, the railroad’s employees often have to make replacement parts on their own.

From Washington Post • Sep. 20, 2018

Toltec and local Mayan cultures tell stories in the rocks with jaguars, eagles, snakes and sacrifice, wisdom and folklore that remain mysterious and mesmerizing to this day.

From Washington Times • Jan. 26, 2018

Further north, expanding their empire in a hot-brained hurry, are the Toltec, sweeping in every direction from the mile-high basin that today houses Mexico City.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann