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elef. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
elef, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
elef in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
elef you have here. The definition of the word
elef will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
elef, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Maltese
Etymology
From Arabic آلَاف (ʔālāf). The expected form is *elief, but the stress was shifted backwards under the influence of a following noun. In independent position, *elief was probably maintained at first; it was then absorbed by eluf and restricted to the vague sense “thousands”.
Pronunciation
Numeral
elef pl
- paucal of elf
Usage notes
- This form is used with numbers between three and ten to indicate “thousand”:
- ħamest elef ― five thousand
- għaxart elef siġra ― ten thousand trees