Maya

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A member of a historically significant civilization in Mesoamerica known for its advancements in writing, architecture, and calendar systems
2. An indigenous populace in Central America, particularly descendants of a notable ancient culture renowned for their sophisticated societal structures
3. A culturally rich group originating from Mesoamerica with achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and monumental architecture

Etymology: The English word "Maya" for the ancient Central American people is a name taken from a language far from the Americas. The people themselves are better known by their own terms, and "Maya" reached English as a label applied from outside. Its immediate source is Sanskrit, where "māyā" originally meant illusion, magical power, or the apparent reality of the world, a concept central to Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. The route from the Sanskrit concept to a Mesoamerican civilization is one of coincidence rather than shared history. The name became attached to the Yucatec and related Mayan-speaking peoples of southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras, whose civilization flourished for centuries before European contact. Because the name was adopted into European languages and extended to a people with no connection to South Asia, it stands as a rare example of a Sanskrit word naming an American culture.