English
ma
The sound, which parents interpret as a reference to themselves, is very commonly made by infants.
The story
The sound, which parents interpret as a reference to themselves, is very commonly made by infants. For more on the linguistic process whereby infants' monosyllables are tied to ancient word roots for parents, see mama, papa, mātēr, and patēr.
Another origin of ma
- Cantonesemodern嘛maa³‘of course!’
- Englishtodayma
Another origin of ma
- Japanesemodern間‘space, interval’
- Englishtodayma
Today it means
noun mother, mama
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / ma