Malay

both the name of the majority race in Malaysia and the name of their language.

the Malay language was the lingua franca for trade in South East Asia for quite a while from the 15th century to the 19th century, supposedly because it was the language that the traders of diverse backgrounds could pick up easily.

Ma*lay" (?), n.

One of a race of a brown or copper complexion in the Malay Peninsula and the western islands of the Indian Archipelago.

© Webster 1913.

Ma*lay" (?), Ma*lay"an (?), a.

Of or pertaining to the Malays or their country.

n.

The Malay language.

Malay apple Bot., a myrtaceous tree (Eugenia Malaccensis) common in India; also, its applelike fruit.

© Webster 1913.