Etymology

Some suggest a compound of māitl ‎(“arm, hand”) + the patientive of cui ‎(“to take, hold”), thus “what is held in one arm or hand; five”, and implying a semantic relation or contrast with mahtlāctli ‎(“ten”), based on mah- ‎(“arm, hand”) + tlāctli ‎(“trunk”), thus “both arms; ten”. Compare Pipil makwil ‎(“five”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [maːˈkʷiː.lːi]