teocalli

English

Alternative forms

• teucalli (obsolete)

Etymology

From Spanish teocalli, from a Nahuatl [Term?] language; compare Classical Nahuatl teohcalli.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌteɪ.əˈkɑ.li/, /ˌti-/, /-oʊ-/, /-kæ-/

Noun

teocalli (plural teocallis)

1. An Aztec temple.
   • 1578, Thomas Nicholas, The Pleasant Historie of the Conquest of the VVeast India, London: Henry Bynneman, translation of Historia general de las Indias by Francisco López de Gómara, page 62:

     their Cazique or Lorde had ſente them, to ſee what Goddes were comen in thoſe Teucallis, that is to ſay, Temple

   • 1845, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Arsenal at Springfield:

     And Aztec priests upon their teocallis / Beat the wild war-drums made of serpent's skin.

2. A Mesoamerican pyramid surmounted by a temple.

Anagrams

• localite

Classical Nahuatl

Noun

teocalli

1. Alternative spelling of teohcalli