Aztec
[ az-tek ]
/ ˈæz tɛk /
noun
a member of a Nahuatl-speaking state in central Mexico that was conquered by Cortés in 1521.
Also called classical Nahuatl.
the variety of Nahuatl that served as the medium of Aztec civilization, aboriginally written in a chiefly pictographic script.
Compare Nahuatl(def 2).
the Nahuatl language.
Origin of Aztec
1780–90; < Spanish
azteca < Nahuatl
aztēcah, plural of
aztēcatl person from
Aztlān, the legendary place of origin of the Aztecs
OTHER WORDS FROM Aztec
Az·tec·an, adjective post-Az·tec, adjectiveExample sentences from the Web for aztecs
British Dictionary definitions for aztecs
Aztec
/ (ˈæztɛk) /
noun
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
the language of the Aztecs
See also Nahuatl
adjective Also: Aztecan
of, relating to, or characteristic of the Aztecs, their civilization, or their language
Word Origin for Aztec
C18: from Spanish
Azteca, from Nahuatl
Aztecatl, from
Aztlan, their traditional place of origin, literally: near the cranes, from
azta cranes +
tlan near
Cultural definitions for aztecs
Aztecs
A Native American people who ruled Mexico and neighboring areas before the Spaniards conquered the region in the sixteenth century. Starting in the twelfth century, they built up an advanced civilization and empire. (See Hernando Cortés and Montezuma.)