Where does “amalgam” come from?
Amalgam comes from Medieval Latin amalgama, from Ancient Greek μάλαγμα, derived from μαλάσσω meaning "to soften," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European melh₂- and mel-.
amalgam (English): An alloy containing mercury; A combination of...
Definitions
- An alloy containing mercury; A combination of...
Ancestry of “amalgam”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medieval Latin | amalgama | mercury alloy; amalgam |
| 2 | Arabic | اَلْمَلْغَم | — |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | μάλαγμα | An emollient, a cataplasm; A padding used in... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | μαλάσσω | to soften; to make soft; soften |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | μαλακός | soft, tender; gentle; soft, mild, gentle |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | melh₂- | to grind, to crush |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | mel- | soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |