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Tol·tec

(tōltĕk′, tŏl-)

n. pl. Toltec or Tol·tecs

A member of a Nahuatl-speaking people of central and southern Mexico whose empire flourished from the 10th century until it collapsed under invasion by the Aztecs in the 12th century.

adj. also Tol·tec·an (tōl-tĕkən, tŏl-)

Of or relating to the Toltec or their culture.

[Spanish tolteca, from Nahuatl toltecatl, artisan, mechanic.]

(click for a larger image)

Toltec

carved basalt column of a warrior atop the Temple of Quetzalcoatl

Teotihuacán, Mexico

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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