Amalaka
/ˌæməˈlɑːkə/noun
A Sanskrit-derived name for the Indian gooseberry tree or its fruit, Phyllanthus emblica.
Did you know?In Sanskrit Ayurvedic tradition, Amalaka was revered as a rejuvenating fruit and became a principal ingredient in the celebrated herbal preparation chyavanaprasha.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂emh₁-ro-
“Bitter or sour”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
āmla
“Sour, acidic”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
āmalaka
“The sour fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree”
19th Century
English
amalaka
“A Sanskrit botanical and Ayurvedic name for the Indian gooseberry”
Modern English
English
amalaka
“The Indian gooseberry tree or its fruit, especially in botanical and Ayurvedic contexts”