Where does “maleta” come from?
maleta (Chavacano) comes from Spanish maleta, from Spanish mala, from French malle, from Middle French malle, from Old French male, from Medieval Latin mala, from Proto-Italic smakslā, from Proto-Indo-European smēk- — to rub; smear.
maleta (Chavacano): suitcase
Ancestry of “maleta”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Spanish | maleta | suitcase; trunk, boot |
| 2 | Spanish | mala | feminine singular of malo; suitcase; mailbag |
| 3 | French | malle | large suitcase; trunk |
| 4 | Middle French | malle | — |
| 5 | Old French | male | pack, bag |
| 6 | Medieval Latin | mala | cheekbone, jaw; cheek; bundle, bag |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | smakslā | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | smēk- | — |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | smē- | to rub; smear |