Glossary of Spanish and Indian Words

Apache (Uh-PATCH-ee) Indian Nomadic and warlike Indians of the American Southwest.

Aztec (AS-tec) Indian Indians of central Mexico. Early settlers thought Aztecs had built Montezuma Castle and other ruins in the Southwest.

Espejo, Antonio de (Es-PAY-ho, On-TON-eeyo day) Spanish Spanish explorer who visited central Arizona in 1583.

Hohokam (Ho-ho-KAHM) Indian Early Indian inhabitants of the Verde Valley.

Hopi (HO-pee) Indian A Pueblo Indian tribe of northeastern Arizona.

Kiva (KEE-vuh) Indian Ceremonial chamber or room.

Mano (MAH-no) Spanish Hand; applied to grinding stone held in hand.

Mesa (MAY-suh) Spanish Table; hence a tableland.

Mescal (Mess-KAHL) Spanish from Indian A small plant (agave); quids of this plant were chewed as a stimulant.

Mesquite (Mess-KEET) Spanish from Indian A spiny tree or bush bearing bean-like pods used for food by Indians.

Metate (Meh-TAH-tay) Spanish from Indian A concave grinding stone used for grinding corn.

Montezuma (Mon-teh-ZOO-muh) Indian Last Aztec emperor of Mexico.

Navajo (NAW-vuh-ho) Spanish from Indian A tribe of seminomadic, herdsmen Indians of the Southwest. Related to the Apaches.

Pueblo (Pooh-EB-lo) Spanish Village; hence the Indians who built the large dwellings in the Southwest. Also applied to the dwellings themselves.

Sinagua (Sin-AH-wah) Spanish Prehistoric Indians of the Verde Valley who built Montezuma Castle. The word means literally “without water.”

Verde (VER-day) Spanish Green; hence Verde Valley.

Yavapai (YAH-vah-pie) Indian Indians occupying Verde Valley when it was visited by the Espejo Expedition. Possibly descendents of the Hohokam.

Yucca (YUK-uh) Spanish, probably from Indian A desert plant of the lily family with long, fibrous, green leaves and a tall stem bearing a cluster of white blossoms.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1977 O-244-528