Maltese
/mɔːlˈtiːz/noun
Relating to Malta, its people, or its language; also the language spoken in Malta.
Did you know?Maltese is descended largely from a medieval Arabic dialect but is written in the Latin alphabet, making it the European Union’s only official Semitic language.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Μελίτη (Melítē)
“Ancient Greek name for Malta; its ultimate origin is uncertain”
Roman Era
Latin
Melita
“Latin name for the island of Malta”
Medieval Period
Arabic
مَلِط (Maliṭ)
“Arabic form of the island’s name”
12th–13th Century
Old Sicilian
Malta
“The island name used under Norman and later Sicilian rule”
16th Century
Italian
maltese
“Of or from Malta”
Modern English
English
Maltese
“Relating to Malta, its people, language, or characteristic breed of dog”