Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “malaco-” come from?

malaco- (English) comes from Ancient Greek μαλακός, from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.

malaco- (English): Forms terms relating to molluscs; Soft

Definitions

  1. Forms terms relating to molluscs; Soft

Ancestry of “malaco-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekμαλακόςsoft, tender; gentle; soft, mild, gentle
2Proto-Indo-Europeanmelh₂-to grind, to crush
3Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
4Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange

Words derived from “malaco-”

  • malacofauna
  • malakoplakia
  • malacozoologist
  • malacophilous
  • malakoplakic
  • malacophily
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →