Aztecan

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. Relating to the cultural, historical, or linguistic aspects of the Aztecs, an indigenous people of central Mexico
2. Pertaining to the traditions, crafts, and languages associated with the Aztec civilization
3. Describing anything that originates from or is characteristic of the Aztec empire and its people

Etymology: Aztecan is a plain formation: the name "Aztec" with the suffix "-an" added, meaning "of or relating to" the Aztecs. The suffix has a long road into English. It descends from a Proto-Italic ending, passed into Latin as "-ānus," then reached English through Old French "-ain" and Middle English "-an." Its job is the same across all those stages: turning a name or noun into an adjective of connection, as in "Roman," "Lutheran" or "Johnsonian." Because "-an" was already a productive English ending, "Aztecan" needed no special coinage. It is simply "Aztec" plus that ending, and it works as both an adjective and a noun, so the same form can describe Aztec customs or refer to an Aztec person.