Where does “molto” come from?
molto (Latin) comes from Gaulish multon-, from Proto-Celtic moltos, from Proto-Indo-European (h₂)moldus, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.
Ancestry of “molto”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Gaulish | multon- | sheep |
| 2 | Proto-Celtic | moltos | ram, wether |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | (h₂)moldus | soft, weak |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | mel- | soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |