Relating to Malta, its people, or language; or a small toy dog breed with long, silky white hair.
From Malta + -ese suffix indicating origin or association. Malta derives from Greek melite 'honey-sweet', referring to the island's honey production. The dog breed was named for Malta, though its exact origins are debated.
The Maltese dog breed was favored by ancient Greek and Roman aristocrats, often carried in the sleeves of noble ladies' robes. Despite being called 'Maltese,' genetic studies suggest the breed may have originated in Asia and traveled to Malta via trade routes.
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