Where does “mala” come from?

mala (Catalan) comes from Old French male, from Medieval Latin mala, from Proto-Italic smakslā, from Proto-Indo-European smēk-, from Proto-Indo-European smē- — to rub; smear.

mala (Catalan): feminine singular of mal

Definitions

  1. feminine singular of mal

Ancestry of “mala”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Frenchmalepack, bag
2Medieval Latinmalacheekbone, jaw; cheek; bundle, bag
3Proto-Italicsmakslā—
4Proto-Indo-Europeansmēk-beard; chin
5Proto-Indo-Europeansmē-to rub; smear
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smē- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēk- →Every word from Proto-Italic smakslā →