maya
maya Lexical Profile
maya Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A member of an indigenous Mesoamerican people inhabiting southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador, renowned for their ancient civilization, monumental architecture, and advanced calendar systems.
"The ancient Maya developed one of the most sophisticated writing and astronomical systems in the pre-Columbian Americas."
Any of the Mayan languages spoken by the Maya peoples, especially Yucatec Maya.
"Many communities in the Yucatan Peninsula still speak Maya as their primary language."
In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, the supernatural power or cosmic illusion by which the phenomenal material world is perceived as separate from the ultimate divine reality.
"According to Advaita Vedanta philosophy, overcoming the veil of maya is essential for achieving spiritual liberation."
• adjective
Relating to the Maya people, their ancient civilization, or their culture.
"The museum unveiled a new exhibit featuring ancient Maya ceramics and jade carvings."
Word Nuance & Usage
In contemporary scholarly and anthropological usage, 'Maya' is preferred as both the noun and adjective for the people, culture, and history, whereas 'Mayan' is strictly reserved for the language family.
• Rhymes for maya
Word Origin & Etymology
The philosophical sense derives from Sanskrit 'māyā', meaning 'illusion, magic, or supernatural power'. The Mesoamerican sense comes from Yucatec Maya 'maaya', the indigenous name for the people and their civilization.