Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “osteomalacia” come from?

Osteomalacia comes from Ancient Greek μαλακία, derived from μαλακός meaning soft, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to soften or grind.

osteomalacia (English): A softening of adult bones due to inadequate...

Definitions

  1. A softening of adult bones due to inadequate...

Ancestry of “osteomalacia”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmalaciaAbnormal softening of organs or tissues of the...
2Latinmalaciasoftening, weakness
3Ancient Greekμαλακίαsoftness, sickness; self-indulgence, weakness
4Ancient Greekμαλακόςsoft, tender; gentle; soft, mild, gentle
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmelh₂-to grind, to crush
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
7Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange

Words derived from “osteomalacia”

  • osteomalacic
Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →