Zapotec

noun

Za·​po·​tec ˌzä-pə-ˈtek How to pronounce Zapotec (audio)
ˌsä-,
ˌza-;
ˈzä-pə-ˌtek,
ˈsä-,
ˈza-
plural Zapotec or Zapotecs
: a member of an Indigenous people of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico

Examples of Zapotec in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Also missing was any means of classifying ethnic or tribal groups—Maya, Zapotec, Xinca, Lenca, Afro-Colombian, and so on. Ananda Rose, Scientific American, 1 June 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Zapotec.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish zapoteca, from Nahuatl tzapotēcah, plural of tzapotēcatl, literally, person of (the land of) sapodillas, from tzapotl sapodilla fruit + -tēcatl person (from)

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Zapotec was in 1814

Dictionary Entries Near Zapotec

Cite this Entry

“Zapotec.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Zapotec. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on Zapotec

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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