illusion, esp the material world of the senses regarded as illusory
Derived forms
mayan (ˈmayan)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from Sanskrit
Maya in British English1
(ˈmaɪə, ˈmɑːjə, ˈmɑːjɑː)
noun
the Hindu goddess of illusion, the personification of the idea that the material world is illusory
Derived forms
Mayan (ˈMayan)
adjective
Maya in British English2
(ˈmaɪə)
noun
1. Also called: MayanWord forms: plural-ya or -yas
a member of an indigenous people of Yucatan, Belize, and N Guatemala, having an ancient culture once characterized by outstanding achievements in architecture, astronomy, chronology, painting, and pottery
2.
the language of this people
Maya in American Englishesp collectively
(ˈmɑːjə) (nounplural -yas or -ya)
noun
1.
a member of a major pre-Columbian civilization of the Yucatán Peninsula that reached its peak in the 9th century a.d. and produced magnificent ceremonial cities with pyramids, a sophisticated mathematical and calendar system, hieroglyphic writing, and fine sculpture, painting, and ceramics
2.
a member of a modern people of southern Mexico, Guatemala, and parts of Honduras who are the descendants of this ancient civilization
3.
any of the Mayan languages; the historical and modern languages of the Mayas
adjective
4.
Mayan
Examples of 'maya' in a sentence
maya
This is the second great philosophical mistake, which the Fravashi refer to as the `little maya ".
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD
The blankets had fallen off Babushka Maya, who lay on the sofa covered by just her coat.
Paullina Simons THE BRONZE HORSEMAN (2001)
Word lists with
maya
Hindu, Central and South American Indian peoples, Native American tribes