Marshallese
/ˌmɑːrʃəˈliːz/noun
The Austronesian language of the Marshall Islands, or something relating to the Marshall Islands and their people.
Did you know?Marshallese speakers call their language kajin M̧ajeļ, meaning “the language of the Marshall Islands,” while the islands’ English name honors British captain John Marshall, who charted the region in 1788.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*marhaz
“Horse; an early Germanic root later associated with the first element of marshal.”
Old High German
Old High German
marah-scalc
“Horse servant or groom; the title originally referred to an official responsible for horses.”
Medieval French
Old French
mareschal
“A marshal, originally a royal or military official whose title descended from “horse servant.””
12th Century
English
marshal
“An official or military officer; the word entered English from Anglo-French and developed broader administrative meanings.”
1788
English
Marshall Islands
“A European geographic name applied after Captain John Marshall charted the islands during a British voyage.”
19th–20th Century
English
Marshallese
“The English adjective and language name formed from Marshall Islands with the suffix -ese, meaning “of or relating to.””