Where does “alpha female” come from?
alpha female (English) comes from English alpha male, from English Malé, from Middle English male, from Anglo-Norman male, from Old French male, from Medieval Latin mala, from Proto-Italic smakslā, from Proto-Indo-European smēk- — to rub; smear.
alpha female (English): the dominant female animal in a pack; a...
Definitions
- the dominant female animal in a pack; a...
Ancestry of “alpha female”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | alpha male | The dominant male in a group of animals; A... |
| 2 | English | Malé | — |
| 3 | Middle English | male | rent, tribute |
| 4 | Anglo-Norman | male | pack, bag |
| 5 | Old French | male | pack, bag |
| 6 | Medieval Latin | mala | cheekbone, jaw; cheek; bundle, bag |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | smakslā | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | smēk- | beard; chin |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | smē- | to rub; smear |