Etymology Explorer › Malay

Where does “main” come from?

main (Malay) comes from Proto-Malayic *main, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian qayam — domesticated animal; pet; toy; plaything.

main (Malay): to play

Definitions

  1. to play

Ancestry of “main”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Malayic*main—
2Proto-Malayo-Polynesianqayamdomesticated animal; pet; toy; plaything

Words derived from “main”

  • main
  • main
Every word from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian qayam →