Maltese

Maltese
/mawl teez", -tees"/, adj., n., pl. Maltese.
adj.
1. of or pertaining to Malta, its people, or their language.
n.
2. a native or inhabitant of Malta.
3. the Arabic dialect spoken in Malta, using many Italian words.
[1605-15; MALT(A) + -ESE]

* * *

Breed of toy dog named for the island of Malta, where it may have originated about 2,800 years ago.

Delicate-looking but vigorous, affectionate, and lively, it was once the valued pet of the wealthy and aristocratic. It has a long, silky, pure-white coat, hanging ears, a compact body, and a plumed tail that curves over its back. It stands about 5 in. (13 cm) and weighs up to 7 lbs (3 kg).

* * *

▪ breed of dog
 breed of toy dog named for the island of Malta, where it may have originated about 2,800 years ago. Delicate in appearance but usually vigorous, healthy, affectionate, and lively, the Maltese was once the valued pet of the wealthy and aristocratic. It has a long, silky, pure-white coat, hanging ears, a compact body, and a plumed tail that curves over its back. It stands about 5 inches (13 cm) and weighs up to 7 pounds (3 kg).

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Maltese — may refer to: Something of, from, or related to Malta Maltese people, people from Malta or of Maltese descent Maltese language, the Semitic language spoken by Maltese people As a surname Francesco Maltese, Italian Baroque era painter Michael… …   Wikipedia

  • Maltese — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Michael Maltese (1908–1981), US amerikanischer Drehbuchautor und Storyboard Zeichner Siehe auch: Corto Maltese, Comic Held Maltese Falcon The Maltese Falcon Roman von Dashiell Hammett, der in deutscher… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Maltese — dog Maltese dog n. (Zool.) A breed of toy dog having a long straight silky white coat; also called a {Maltese}. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Maltese — Mal*tese , a. Of or pertaining to Malta or to its inhabitants. n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Malta; the people of Malta. [1913 Webster] {Maltese cross}. See Illust. 5, of {Cross}. {Maltese dog} (Zo[ o]l.), a breed of small terriers,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Maltese — from MALTA (Cf. Malta) + ESE (Cf. ese). Maltese cat is attested from 1830; Maltese cross is from 1754 (earlier Malta cross, 1650s) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Maltese — [môl tēz′, môltēs′; ] for adj., also [ môl′tēz΄, môl′tēs΄] adj. 1. of Malta or its people, language, or culture 2. of the medieval Knights of Malta n. 1. pl. Maltese a person born or living in Malta 2. the Semitic language spoken in Malta,… …   English World dictionary

  • Maltese — [[t]mɒ̱lti͟ːz[/t]] ♦♦♦ (Maltese is both the singular and the plural form.) 1) ADJ: usu ADJ n Maltese means belonging or relating to Malta, or to its people, language, or culture. ...the Maltese writer Francis Ebejer. 2) N COUNT A Maltese is a… …   English dictionary

  • Maltese — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Maltese est un nom de famille porté notamment par : Maltese, un des nombreux pseudonymes du chanteur italien Ken Laszlo ; Corto Maltese, héros… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Maltese — noun (plural Maltese) Date: 1615 1. a native or inhabitant of Malta 2. the Semitic language of the Maltese people 3. any of a breed of toy dogs with a long silky white coat, a black nose, and very dark eyes • Maltese adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Maltese — n. & adj. n. 1 (pl. same) a a native or national of Malta, an island in the W. Mediterranean. b a person of Maltese descent. 2 the language of Malta. adj. of or relating to Malta or its people or language. Phrases and idioms: Maltese cross a… …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”