Etymology Explorer › Greek

Where does “μαλακός” come from?

μαλακός (Greek) 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.

μαλακός (Greek): soft; meek, compliant; gentle, mild, mild...

Definitions

  1. soft; meek, compliant; gentle, mild, mild...

Ancestry of “μαλακός”, 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 “μαλακός”

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