How Do You Spell MALEA?

Pronunciation: [mˈe͡ɪli͡ə] (IPA)

The word "Malea" can be spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet as /maːleə/. The first syllable is "ma" pronounced as /ma/, and the second syllable is "lea" pronounced as /lɛə/. The "a" in the first syllable is pronounced with a long vowel sound, while the "e" in the second syllable is pronounced with a short vowel sound. The spelling of this word follows traditional English spelling rules, with the use of the digraph "ea" to represent the long /e/ sound.

MALEA Meaning and Definition

1. Malea is a proper noun that refers to a geographical location and a name used primarily in Greek mythology. As a geographical location, Malea is the name of a promontory located in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. This promontory, also known as Cape Malea, marks the southernmost point of mainland Greece and separates the Aegean Sea from the Sea of Crete.

   In Greek mythology, Malea is also the name of a character. According to ancient Greek accounts, Malea was one of the Nereids, who were sea nymphs in Greek mythology. The Nereids were often depicted as beautiful young maidens associated with various bodies of water. Malea, as a Nereid, was believed to reside in the Mediterranean Sea and was associated with the vast expanse of the Aegean Sea.

   Due to its significance in Greek mythology and its prominent location on the map, Malea has become a metaphorical term for a point of reference or a boundary. It symbolizes a divide or a demarcation line between two different regions or phenomena. In this context, Malea represents a point of transition, a threshold, or a pivotal moment.

   Overall, Malea encompasses both a physical landmark in Greece and a mythical character from Greek mythology, both of which have contributed to its broader meaning as a symbolic and metaphorical term.

Common Misspellings for MALEA

• maoea

Etymology of MALEA

The word "Malea" has its etymology rooted in ancient Greek. It comes from the Greek word "Malos" (Μαλος), which means "headland" or "cape". The Cape Malea (also known as Cape Maleas or Akra Malea) is a prominent headland located on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula in Greece. The name "Malea" is often associated with this particular cape and has been used in various contexts referring to similar geographic features.