Where does “Malay” come from?

Malay derives from Malay Melayu, which comes from Malay Malayu, a term of uncertain ultimate origin referring to the Malay people and language.

Malay (English): Of or relating to the Malays, a people living in...

Definitions

  1. Of or relating to the Malays, a people living in...

Ancestry of “Malay”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1MalayMelayuMalay
2MalayMalayu—
3Old Javaneselayūto run
4Proto-Sunda-Sulawesilariw—
5Proto-Malayo-Polynesianlaʀiw—
6Proto-Austronesianlaʀiw—

Words derived from “Malay”

Every word from Proto-Austronesian laʀiw →Every word from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian laʀiw →Every word from Proto-Sunda-Sulawesi lariw →