Where does “mālā” come from?

mālā (Old Javanese) comes 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.

mālā (Old Javanese): wreath, garland

Definitions

  1. wreath, garland

Ancestry of “mālā”, step by step

mālā traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Sanskrit मल

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Sanskritमलdirty; niggardly?; unbelieving, godless
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

via Sanskrit माला

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Sanskritमालाgarland, wreath, crown; bead necklace, rosary

Words derived from “mālā”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European mey- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European mel- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European melh₂- →