Inca
|In-ca|
B2
/ˈɪŋkə/
Ancient Andean civilization
Etymology
Etymology Information
'Inca' originates from Quechua, specifically the word 'Inka,' where 'Inka' meant 'ruler' or 'lord'.
Historical Evolution
'Inka' passed into Spanish as 'Inca' during the colonial period and was adopted into English from Spanish; the modern English form is 'Inca'.
Meaning Changes
Initially it meant 'ruler' (the title). Over time its use broadened in European languages to refer also to the people, the dynasty, and the civilization ('the Inca' or 'the Incas').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of the Quechua-speaking peoples of the Inca Empire (the pre-Columbian civilization of the Andes).
An Inca lived in the high valleys and worked the terraced fields.
Last updated: 2025/08/13 06:30