Etymology Explorer › Ancient Greek

Where does “μαλακός” come from?

μαλακός (Ancient Greek) comes from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.

μαλακός (Ancient Greek): soft, tender; gentle; soft, mild, gentle

Definitions

  1. soft, tender; gentle; soft, mild, gentle

Ancestry of “μαλακός”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Indo-Europeanmelh₂-to grind, to crush
2Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange

Words derived from “μαλακός”

  • amalgam
  • osteomalacia
  • leukomalacia
  • chondromalacia
  • tracheomalacia
  • laryngomalacia
  • malacia
  • encephalomalacia
  • myelomalacia
  • keratomalacia
  • bronchomalacia
  • tracheobronchomalacia
  • malacofauna
  • malacology
  • osteomalacic
  • scleromalacia
  • malakoplakia
  • malacic
  • malacologist
  • amalgamable
  • malacolite
  • unamalgamable
  • malagma
  • eumalacostracan
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →