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Glite Dictionary
Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica

1 8.1
A region from central Mexico through Central America where ancient societies lived before the Spanish came
  • proper noun
  • /ˌmɛzoʊəˈmɛrɪkə/
translation icon : mesoamérica
  • The ancient civilizations of the Maya and Aztec thrived in Mesoamerica long before European contact.
  • ancient Mesoamerica
  • irrigation in Mesoamerica
  • culture of Mesoamerica

I mean, if, if that's right, that means the Maya and the people of Mesoamerica will all share it together.

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Examples

  • By this time, the Classic Period cultures of Mesoamerica had collapsed some 200 to 400 years earlier.

    Academic text (1992)

  • This is a very rare sacrificial palette from Mesoamerica.

    The Relic (1997)

  • Now there are pyramids in in Mesoamerica where the whole thing was always intended to be a tomb.

  • Based on all these clues, we can anticipate regions in Mesoamerica where jade might be found.

    Academic text (1992)

  • His work has become an obligatory reference point for any student of local government in colonial Mesoamerica.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Flower art, however, has a long history in Mesoamerica, with origins that predate the conquest.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Chili peppers from Mesoamerica are used to flavor food throughout the world.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Comparison of the ways in which Rivera and Berman used the material remains of ancient Mesoamerica reveals some fundamental similarities.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The ramon was once a staple crop of the Maya in Mesoamerica, complementing the corn harvest.

    Blog text (1)

  • "Ceramic figurines of women in ball-game attire have been found all over Mesoamerica and date as far back as 1200 B.C.

    Academic text (2003)

Surface Forms

Mesoamerica main

Morphology

Mesoamerica = America + meso (semi-transparent) = meso + America

The element 'meso-' means 'middle' but is a specialist combining form; learners who know 'America' may not know 'meso-', so the meaning is not fully transparent to average B1 learners.

Etymology

Mesoamerica comes from the Greek word part meso- meaning 'middle' and America, the continent name, so it literally means 'middle America' and refers to the area between North and South America where many ancient civilizations lived.