Where does “mala-” come from?

mala- (Indonesian) comes from Malay mala-, from Old Javanese mala-, from Sanskrit मल, from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.

mala- (Indonesian): mal-: bad, abnormal

Definitions

  1. mal-: bad, abnormal

Ancestry of “mala-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Malaymala-mal-: bad, abnormal
2Old Javanesemala-—
3Sanskritमलdirty; niggardly?; unbelieving, godless
4Proto-Indo-Europeanmelh₂-to grind, to crush
5Proto-Indo-Europeanmel-soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmey-to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange

Words derived from “mala-”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European mel- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European melh₂- →
mala- — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer