a member of an indigenous Mexican 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
2.
the language of the Aztecs
See also Nahuatl
adjective also: Aztecan
3.
of, relating to, or characteristic of the Aztecs, their civilization, or their language
Word origin
C18: from Spanish Azteca, from Nahuatl Aztecatl, from Aztlan, their traditional place of origin, literally: near the cranes, from azta cranes + tlan near
Aztec in American English
(ˈæzˌtɛk)
noun
1.
a member of an Amerindian people of what is now Mexico, that had an advanced civilizationbefore the conquest of Mexico by Cortés in 1519
2.
the language of this people; Nahuatl
3.
the branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family to which Nahuatl belongs
adjective
4.
of the Aztecs or their language or culture
: also ˈAztecan
Word origin
Sp Azteca < Nahuatl aste:kaλ, after as-λa:n, ? name of their legendary place of origin
Examples of 'Aztec' in a sentence
Aztec
And Aztec history books, scrunched-up tissues, hay-fever nasal sprays, empty mocha coffee cups, Hello!
Sean Thomas THE CHEEK PERFORATION DANCE (2002)
She watches as Patrick turns his head and looks with self-conscious interest at a mock-up of Tenochtitlan city, the Aztec capital.
Sean Thomas THE CHEEK PERFORATION DANCE (2002)
So overwhelming was the evidence, the captain said, that they had plea-bargained themselves into jail at Aztec.
Tony Hillerman THE FALLEN MAN (1996)
Word lists with
Aztec
Ancient Languages, Central and South American Indian peoples, Native American tribes