malagasy
UK[ˌmæləˈɡæsi]US[ˌmɑːləˈɡɑːsi]
n
A member of the people of Madagascar.
n
The Austronesian language of the Malagasy people.
adj
Of or relating to Madagascar, its people, or their language.
Etymology
The word 'Malagasy' entered English in the 18th century from the indigenous term 'Malagasy', which the people of Madagascar use to refer to themselves. This endonym is believed to be derived from 'Malay', reflecting the Austronesian origins of the population, combined with a local element. The term was adopted by European explorers and linguists to specifically denote the people, culture, and language of the island, distinguishing it from the geographic name 'Madagascar'. Thus, 'Malagasy' functions as both an ethnic-linguistic identifier and a national adjective in English, carrying the historical narrative of the island's unique blend of Southeast Asian and African heritage.
Analysis
This is a loanword and proper name adopted into English. It is not productively formed from separable English morphemes. The term originates from the indigenous name for the people and language of Madagascar.
Examples
The Malagasy have a rich cultural tradition of storytelling and music.
Malagasy is the official language of Madagascar alongside French.
She conducted extensive research on Malagasy flora and fauna.