flower war en · NOUN
Etymology
Calque of Classical Nahuatl xochiyaoyotl. Named either for: * the death involved known as xochimiquiztli (“flowery death”), a glorious death in war where the souls of warriors go to a paradise * the splendid costumes worn by warriors, causing them to be compared to flowers ripe for harvest
Meanings
- (historical) A kind of ritual war fought intermittently between the Aztec Triple Alliance and its enemies.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| flower wars | Number=Plur | lexicographic |