Tol·tec / ˈtōlˌtek; ˈtäl-/ • n. 1. a member of an American Indian people that flourished in Mexico before the Aztecs. 2. the language of this people.• adj. of or relating to this people.DERIVATIVES: Tol·tec·an / tōlˈtekən; täl-/ adj.

Toltec (Nuhuatl, master-builder) Ancient Native American civilization, whose capital was Tollán (Tula), Mexico. The Toltec were the dominant people in the region from ad 900 to 1200. Their architecture is characterized by pyramid building. Although theirs was considered a polytheistic culture, images of Quetzalcóatl predominate. In the 12th century, the civilization was gradually supplanted by the Aztec.