Where does “alama” come from?
alama (Swahili) comes from Greek μάλαμα, from Byzantine Greek μάλαγμα, from Ancient Greek μαλάσσω, from Ancient Greek μαλακός, from Proto-Indo-European melh₂-, from Proto-Indo-European mel-, from Proto-Indo-European mey- — to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange.
alama (Swahili): mark; sign, symbol; scar
Ancestry of “alama”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Greek | μάλαμα | gold, something made of gold; somebody or... |
| 2 | Byzantine Greek | μάλαγμα | An emollient, a cataplasm; A padding used in... |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | μαλάσσω | to soften; to make soft; soften |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | μαλακός | soft, tender; gentle; soft, mild, gentle |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | melh₂- | to grind, to crush |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | mel- | soft; tender; weak; to deceive; to rub |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | mey- | to strengthen; to bind; to change, exchange |