Where does “malacolite” come from?

malacolite (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.

malacolite (English): A variety of pyroxene

Definitions

  1. A variety of pyroxene

Ancestry of “malacolite”, 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
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European mel- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European melh₂- →
malacolite — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer