silġ

From Arabic ثَلْج‎ (ṯalj), from Proto-Semitic *θalg-. Maltese s- (instead of expected t-) may be due to irregular assimilation of [θ] to the following alveolar [l]. Otherwise it could be speculated that the form goes back to *šalj with š- from a Semitic substrate (as perhaps in xemx). The subsequent dissimilation š- → s- under the influence of following -j- would be less surprising (compare e.g. siġra).

• IPA^(key): /sɪltʃ/

silġ m

1. ice
   • (Job 6:16, King James Version)

     Li jkunu mqallgħin bil-ħalla tas-silġ, xħin togħdos fihom il-borra.

     Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid.

2. snow

• (snow): borra