Where does “mala” come from?

mala (Portuguese) comes from French malle, from Middle French malle, from Old French male, from Medieval Latin mala, from Proto-Italic smakslā, from Proto-Indo-European smēk-, from Proto-Indo-European smē- — to rub; smear.

mala (Portuguese): suitcase; luggage; boot, trunk

Definitions

  1. suitcase; luggage; boot, trunk

Ancestry of “mala”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchmallelarge suitcase; trunk
2Middle Frenchmalle—
3Old Frenchmalepack, bag
4Medieval Latinmalacheekbone, jaw; cheek; bundle, bag
5Proto-Italicsmakslā—
6Proto-Indo-Europeansmēk-beard; chin
7Proto-Indo-Europeansmē-to rub; smear

Words derived from “mala”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European smē- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēk- →Every word from Proto-Italic smakslā →