Mexicans

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A nationality or ethnic group originating from the country located in North America, known for its diverse culture, traditions, and history
2. Individuals who are citizens or residents of Mexico, sharing a rich heritage that includes various languages and customs
3. People associated with Mexico, often recognized for their contributions to art, cuisine, and social practices that reflect their unique identity

Etymology: "Mexicans" is simply the plural of "Mexican," so the story belongs to the singular. The root goes back to the Mexica, the people who built Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital on the lake where Mexico City now stands. In their language, Nahuatl, the plural "mēxihcah" named the Mexica, and the singular "mēxihcatl" meant one of them. Spanish took this and added its own suffix "-ano," meaning something like "belonging to," giving "mexicano." English borrowed the word from Spanish, and it is that Spanish form that gave us "Mexican." The name "Mexico" itself came from the same Nahuatl root, so the people and the country share a single source, and the word is built on the surface analysis of "Mexico" plus "-an." The Spanish form "mexicano" is a doublet of the English word, meaning both descend from the same origin by different routes.