Where does “mala” come from?

Mala derives from Latin malus, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European molko- and mey-, though its specific meaning in English remains undetermined.

mala (English): A single lobe of an insect's maxilla; The...

Definitions

  1. A single lobe of an insect's maxilla; The...

Ancestry of “mala”, step by step

mala traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via Latin mala

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinmalacheekbone, jaw; cheek; bundle, bag
2Proto-Italicsmakslā—
3Proto-Indo-Europeansmēk-beard; chin
4Proto-Indo-Europeansmē-to rub; smear

via Pitjantjatjara mala

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Pitjantjatjaramalarufous hare-wallaby

via Martu Wangka mala

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Martu Wangkamala—

Words derived from “mala”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European smē- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēk- →Every word from Proto-Italic smakslā →