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Glite Dictionary
tepetate

tepetate

1 9.9
A hard layer of volcanic ash or soil near the surface that makes it hard to grow plants
  • noun
  • Specialized
: tepetate
  • The farmer struggled to grow crops because of the hard layer of tepetate just below the surface.

Examples

  • The main courtyard works as a pivoting area between the two main towers and the housing block. It has a big open space and includes a natural "tepetate" wall and five enormous pink flower pots, each housing a small tree and seating area.

    Blog text (11)

  • The buildings were then covered up either with natural "tepetate," pink, or reddish stuccos.

    Blog text (11)

  • In many regions of Mexico, the presence of tepetate can make it difficult for plants to take root.

  • This area is known for its tepetate, which prevents many plants from thriving in the arid climate.

Surface Forms

tepetate singular
tepetates plural

Etymology

Tepetate comes from the Nahuatl word tepetl, which means 'hill' or 'rock' and was used for hard, stony ground. So tepetate today means a hard, packed layer of volcanic ash near the surface that makes farming and building difficult.