nahuatl
Definition
Noun: 1. The Uto-Aztecan language spoken by the Nahuatl people: This refers to a family of related languages and dialects spoken primarily in central Mexico. It was the language of the Aztec Empire. 2. A member of any of various Indian peoples of central Mexico: This refers to an individual belonging to one of the ethnic groups whose traditional language is Nahuatl.
Usage Examples
- As a language:
- Scholars study classical Nahuatl to understand Aztec codices.
- Several communities in Mexico still speak modern variants of Nahuatl.
- As a person:
- The Nahuatl explained the traditional farming techniques to the anthropologists.
- She is a Nahuatl from the state of Puebla.
Advanced Usage
- Nahuatl is often used in academic contexts to refer specifically to the classical form of the language used during the height of the Aztec civilization.
- The term can function as an attributive noun (acting like an adjective) to describe related cultural items.
- The museum has an impressive collection of Nahuatl poetry.
Variants and Related Words
- Nahuatlism (n): A word or linguistic feature borrowed from the Nahuatl language into another language (e.g., "tomato," "chocolate").
- Nahuatlaca (n, historical/ethnological): A broader term sometimes used to refer to Nahuatl-speaking peoples collectively.
Synonyms
- Aztec (n): While often used synonymously, "Aztec" refers more specifically to the Mexica people of Tenochtitlan, who spoke Nahuatl. "Nahuatl" is a broader linguistic and ethnic term.
- Mexicano (n): A term used in some historical contexts and by some speakers to refer to the language or people.
Related Phrases and Terms
- Nahuatl speaker: A person who speaks the Nahuatl language.
- He is a fluent Nahuatl speaker from the Huasteca region.
- Nahuatl word: A lexical item originating from the Nahuatl language.
- 'Avocado' is an English word that comes from a Nahuatl word (āhuacatl).
Noun
-
the Uto-Aztecan language spoken by the Nahuatl
-
a member of any of various Indian peoples of central Mexico
