Tlahtoani
/t͡ɬaʔˈto.a.ni/noun
A ruler or king in Nahuatl-speaking societies, especially the ruler of a city-state.
Did you know?In Nahuatl political thought, the tlahtoani was not just a king but the one who “spoke” for the altepetl, showing how authority could be framed as sacred speech.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Uto-Aztecan
PUA
*taʔ
“to speak, say”
Classical Nahuatl
Nahuatl
tlahtoa
“to speak, say, command”
Classical Nahuatl
Nahuatl
tlahtoani
“one who speaks; ruler, king”
16th Century
Spanish
tlatoani
“Nahuatl title recorded by Spanish chroniclers”
Modern English
English
tlahtoani
“A Nahuatl title for an indigenous ruler of central Mexico”
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