San·ta An·na or San·ta An·a  (sān'tə ān'ə, sän'tä ä'nä)  Mexican military and political leader who tried to crush the Texan revolt. Victorious at the Alamo (1836), he was soon after defeated and captured by the Texans. In the Mexican War he lost several major battles (1846-1847) to Gen. Zachary Taylor. |