Ajolote
/axoˈlote/noun
A Mexican aquatic salamander, especially one retaining its larval features into adulthood.
Did you know?The name is connected with Xolotl, the Nahua deity associated with twins, transformation, death, and the evening star, although the exact word formation is debated.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Columbian era
Nahuatl
Xolotl
“A Nahua deity associated with transformation, death, twins, and the evening star.”
Classical Nahuatl
Nahuatl
āxōlōtl
“The name for the aquatic salamander; traditionally analyzed as involving ātl, “water,” and Xolotl, though the exact derivation is uncertain.”
16th Century
Spanish
ajolote
“A Mexican aquatic salamander, borrowed from Nahuatl āxōlōtl.”
19th Century
English
axolotl
“The salamander’s English form, adapted from Spanish ajolote and Nahuatl āxōlōtl.”
Modern English
English
ajolote
“A variant English borrowing referring to the axolotl, especially in contexts emphasizing its Mexican and Spanish-language heritage.”
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