huaca

noun

hua·​ca
ˈwäkə
variants or guaca
ˈgw-
plural -s
: an ancient Peruvian sacred object:
a
: god, spirit
b
: any object (as a mountain, animal, shrine, or artifact) inhabited by a god or spirit : fetish compare manitou, nagual, zemi
c
: a pre-Columbian ruin (as a tomb or burial mound)

Word History

Etymology

Spanish guaca, huaca, from Quechua wáka

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Dictionary Entries Near huaca

Cite this Entry

“Huaca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/huaca. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

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