Montezuma II

[ mon-tuh-zoo-muh ]

noun

1. c1470–1520, last Aztec emperor of Mexico 1502–20.

Montezuma II

/ ˌmɒntɪˈzuːmə /

noun

1. Montezuma II14661520MAztecPOLITICS: hereditary ruler 1466–1520, Aztec emperor of Mexico (?1502–20). He was overthrown and killed by the Spanish conquistador Cortés

Word History and Origins

Origin of Montezuma II¹

From Spanish, from Nahuatl Motēuczōmah, Motēcuhzōmah, equivalent to mo- reflexive pronoun + tēuc(tli) “lord, nobleman” + zōmah “frowned in anger,” i.e., “the one who became angry like a nobleman”

Example Sentences

Legend has it that Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes in 1519 saw the Aztec Emperor Montezuma II drinking a cocoa beverage flavored with vanilla, which he called the drink of the gods.

From Washington Times

That area was highly unstable in 1521, when Europeans defeated the Aztecs and their emperor, Montezuma II. We can’t risk sending the president there.

From Washington Post

Montezuma II, Aztec ruler, 28; death of, 33.

From Project Gutenberg

At the time when the Spaniards arrived in the country, Montezuma II. was on the throne, one of the most extravagant of voluptuaries.

From Project Gutenberg

Their emperor was Montezuma II, who sent messengers to remonstrate against the advance of Cortés.

From Project Gutenberg