малгай

Mongolian

Etymology

From Proto-Mongolic *malagaï, an alternative form of *makalai which is probably older judging by forms such as Middle Mongol ماقی (maqai), مَقَلای (maqalai) as well as Jurchen mahila (“small hat”), Manchu ᠮᠠᡥᠠᠯᠠ (mahala).

More distantly, Ramstedt connected it with Taz Northern Selkup [script needed] (mola, “summer cap”), and Starostin with Evenki мука̄ (mukā, “furcoat”). Compare also Northern Yukaghir моҥо(ҥ) (moŋo(ŋ), “headwear”) from earlier *moγo.

Pronunciation

• (Ulaanbaatar) IPA^(key): /maɮɢai/, [maɮˈʁæe]

Noun

малгай • (malgaj) (Mongolian spelling ᠮᠠᠯᠠᠭᠠᠢ (malaɣai)); (hidden-n declension)

1. hat
2. head (the topmost part of a thing)