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Glite Dictionary
Hernando Cortes

Hernando Cortes

6.6
A Spanish soldier who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico
  • proper noun
  • /hərˈnændoʊ ˈkɔrˌtɛs/
translation icon : Hernán Cortés
  • The famous Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire.

Examples

  • The conquest of Mexico by Hernando Cortes dramatically changed the region's history.

  • Hernando Cortes led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire.

  • Many history books recount the controversial legacy of Hernando Cortes.

  • Did Hernando Cortes really believe he was destined to conquer Mexico?

  • Hernando Cortes led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire.

  • The conquest of Mexico by Hernando Cortes dramatically changed the region's history.

  • Many history books recount the controversial legacy of Hernando Cortes.

Synonyms

Cortes
vsHernando Cortes
6 7.2

Spanish soldier and leader who defeats the Aztecs and takes over Mexico

is the full name version used in this entry
Hernando Cortez
vsHernando Cortes
7.2

A Spanish leader known for defeating the Aztec Empire and making Mexico part of Spain

is the chosen form here with the other surname spelling
Hernan Cortes
vsHernando Cortes
6.7

A Spanish soldier who led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire

uses the other first name spelling instead of the n form
Hernan Cortez
vsHernando Cortes
6.7

A Spanish soldier and explorer who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire

is the variant here that prefers the other combination

Surface Forms

Hernando Cortes main

Morphology

Hernando + Cortes

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person; a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not be able to derive from 'Hernando' + 'Cortes' that the referent is a Spanish conquistador who overthrew the Aztec Empire. Proper names are referential and depend on cultural/historical knowledge rather than compositional meaning, so the expression is not transparent.

Etymology

Hernando Cortes was a Spanish soldier who sailed to Mexico in the early 1500s and, with a small force and help from local peoples who opposed the Aztecs, captured the great city of Tenochtitlan. Because of this event, his name is remembered as the man who brought the 'Aztec Empire' under Spanish rule.