Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Alternative spellings

• naguatato (obsolete)

Etymology

From Spanish nahuatlato, from Nahuatl nāhuatlahtoh.

Noun

nahuatlato (plural nahuatlatos)

1. An interpreter in an indigenous language, not necessarily Nahuatl.
   • 1708: Bartholomé Leonardo de Argensola (Spanish), John Stevens (English tr.), The Discovery and Conquest of the Molucco and Philippine Islands, p. 119

     tranſlated from the Malaye Language, by the King’s Naguatatos, ſo they there call the Interpreters.

   • 1995: Susan Kellogg, Law and the Transformation of Aztec Culture, 1500–1700, p. 23

     In Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza’s 1548 compilation of ordinances, a number deal with the nahuatlatos, prohibiting them from receiving gifts or bribes from Spaniards or Indians, hearing cases in their houses, or acting as procuradores, or soliciters.

2. A Nahuatl scholar.
   • 1997: H. B. Nicholson, Primeros Memoriales, p. 12

     It was my hope that the project could be completed with the aid of two of her most esteemed fellow Nahuatlatos and Sahagún scholars, Arthur Anderson and Charles Dibble.

   • 2006: Stafford Poole, The Guadalupan Controversies in Mexico, p. 114

     In the year 2000 the celebrated Mexican historian and nahuatlato, Miguel León-Portilla, published his own translation and commentary.

Classical Nahuatl

Noun

nahuatlato

1. Alternative spelling of nahuatlahtoh.

Spanish

Alternative spellings

• nabatato
• naguatato
• nauatato

Etymology

From Nahuatl nāhuatlahtoh.

Noun

nahuatlato m. (feminine nahuatlata, masculine plural nahuatlatos, feminine plural nahuatlatas)

1. An interpreter in an indigenous language.
   • 1539: Inquisitorial trial of the cacique of Tetzcoco

     mi Procurador ha dado la memoria de los testigos al naguatato

     (my attorney has given the witnesses' recollections to the interpreter)

2. A speaker of Nahuatl.