Aztec etymology

Etymology

The word "Aztec" has two possible etymologies:

1. Nahuatl (Aztec language)

• " Aztlan " (mythical homeland of the Aztecs) + "-teca" (people)
• Literally meaning "People of Aztlan"

2. Nahuatl (Aztec language) + Spanish

• " Aztatl " (heron) + "-co" (place)
• Spanish suffix "-eca"
• Literally meaning "People from the Place of the Herons"

Meaning

The term "Aztec" refers to the dominant civilization that ruled central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries. The Aztecs were a confederation of three city-states: Tenochtitlan, Tlacopan, and Texcoco.

Origin

According to Aztec legend, the Aztecs originated in a mythical homeland called Aztlan, which was located somewhere to the northwest of Mexico. They migrated southward into the Valley of Mexico in the 12th century and eventually established their capital city of Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco.

Pronunciation

• English: /ˈæztɛk/
• Spanish: /aθˈtek/
• Nahuatl: /aːsˈtek/

Aztec relate terms

• Montezuma

  Etymology The name Montezuma is derived from the Nahuatl language the language spoken

• kismet

  Etymology The word kismet comes from the Arabic word qismat meaning lot or portio

• determination

  Etymology Latin determinare to mark off establish limits fix From de away o

• miracle

  Etymology The word miracle traces its origins to the late Latin term miraculum mean

• abstruse

  Etymology The word abstruse originated from the Latin word abstrusus which means h

• gazette

  Etymology and Origin The word gazette is derived from the Italian word gazzetta whi

• abroad

  Etymology The word abroad comes from the Middle English word a brod which itself der

• dusk

  Etymology The word dusk comes from the Old English word dusc which was itself derive

• sabbatical

  Etymology Derived from the Hebrew word shabbat meaning rest or cease Meaning