trying to find the word for...

[alexis wimmer]

-----Message d'origine-----
Lucas Molina <lm412 at is9.nyu.edu> wrote


>please don't think this odd but i collect knives and weapons and was
>wondering what the name for the "aztec sword" is in nahuatl.  i've seen
>a couple of examples at the New York Natural History Museum, but would
>also like to know if anyone knows where i could find a picture on the
>net somewhere.  i was thinking about trying to commission a flintknapper
>to make one and am baffled about the method used to hold the blade in
>place.
>
>Lucas Molina
>

Dear Lucas

the Nahuatl word for the indigenous sword is macuahuitl. A variant is
maccuahuitl. The usualy explaining of this word is to say it that it comes
from cuahuitl, tree, wood, stick and ma:-itl, hand, or ma:c, a locative
word, in the hand. Also hand-stick or stick (hold) in the hand.
But can this word not be in relation with the verb ma:cuauhti, for the arm
(or the hand) to become stiff ?

Sincerely yours

Alexis.