Mal*tese" (?), a.
Of or pertaining to Malta or to its inhabitants.
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n. sing. & pl.
A native or inhabitant of Malta; the people of Malta.
Maltese cat Zool., a mouse-colored variety of the domestic cat. -- Maltese cross. See Illust. 5, of Cross. -- Maltese dog Zool., a breed of small terriers, having long silky white hair. The breed originated in Malta.
© Webster 1913.