μασχάλη

Etymology
The formation may be compared with that of, but further details are unclear. According to Beekes, it is undoubtedly a word.

Meanwhile Douglas Q. Adams has presented a derivation from, via , ultimately from the root , and source to 🇨🇬, as well as 🇨🇬. He finds that a could have given  by simple metathesis, while the initial m- could be either the product of a misdivision of the definite article plus noun (e. g. in the accusative singular  as well as in the respective genitive and dative dual, and genitive plural forms) or a contamination with the semantically similar  and.

Immanuel Löw explains it as a borrowing, related to 🇨🇬, possibly related to 🇨🇬, both of uncertain internal relations.

Noun

 * 1)  armpit, axilla
 * 2)  axil, hollow at the base of a shoot
 * 3) branch, young palm twig
 * 4)  bay, gulf
 * 5)  part of the prow of a ship, to which the foresail is fastened
 * 1)  part of the prow of a ship, to which the foresail is fastened

Noun

 * 1) armpit, axilla