azteca
|a-ste-ca|
/aˈste.ka/
person of or relating to the Aztecs
Etymology
'azteca' originates from Nahuatl, specifically the word 'aztecatl', where the element refers to a person from 'Aztlan' (the legendary homeland).
'azteca' changed from the Nahuatl word 'aztecatl' into Spanish 'azteca' and has remained in modern Spanish (and appears in names and borrowings) as 'azteca'.
Initially, it meant 'a person from Aztlan' in Nahuatl; over time it came to mean 'a member of the Aztec people' or 'relating to the Aztec civilization' in Spanish and related usages.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of the Aztec people (the Mesoamerican people historically centered in the Valley of Mexico).
An azteca in the 15th century would likely have lived in the Valley of Mexico.
Synonyms
Noun 2
used as a proper name in modern Spanish contexts (e.g., organizations or brand names like 'TV Azteca').
TV Azteca is a major Mexican television network — the name uses 'Azteca' as a proper noun.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/08 12:52