Where does “mala” come from?

mala (Scottish Gaelic) comes from Middle English male, from Anglo-Norman male, 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 (Scottish Gaelic): brow

Definitions

  1. brow

Ancestry of “mala”, step by step

mala traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Middle English male

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishmalerent, tribute
2Anglo-Normanmalepack, bag
3Old Frenchmalepack, bag
4Medieval Latinmalacheekbone, jaw; cheek; bundle, bag
5Proto-Italicsmakslā—
6Proto-Indo-Europeansmēk-beard; chin
7Proto-Indo-Europeansmē-to rub; smear

via Old Irish mala

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Irishmala—
2Proto-Celticmalax—
3Proto-Indo-Europeanml̥Hdʰo-—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European smē- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European smēk- →Every word from Proto-Italic smakslā →
mala — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer