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Definition of maltese

maltese

/mɔːlˈtiːz/
Mal · tese

Plural:Maltese
•
Adjective:Maltese
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maltese Lexical Profile

maltese Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Of, relating to, or characteristic of the island nation of Malta, its inhabitants, or its language.

Example

"We enjoyed a traditional Maltese rabbit stew during our vacation in Valletta."

• noun

1

A toy breed of dog characterized by a long, silky, pure white coat, originating from the Central Mediterranean area.

Example

"She adopted a lively Maltese who loves to curl up on her lap and requires daily grooming."


2

A native or citizen of the island nation of Malta.

Example

"Many Maltese are highly multilingual, frequently speaking English and Italian alongside their native tongue."


3

The national language of Malta, which descended from Siculo-Arabic and is written in the Latin alphabet.

Example

"Maltese is unique as the only Semitic language officially recognized by the European Union."

• Rhymes for maltese

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the place name Malta (from Latin 'Melita', Greek 'Melitē') combined with the suffix '-ese', indicating geographic or cultural origin.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Maltese. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/maltese
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