OrigoFrom Proto-Italic *palasā, from Proto-Indo-European *pĺ̥h₂seh₂, cognate to Hittite 𒉺𒆷𒄴𒊭𒀸 (pa-la-aḫ-ša-aš, “female garment”). This etymology was originally proposed by Stefan Höfler and is accepted as convincing by Blanca María Prósper.
No etymology is decided on by De Vaan, who floats possibilities like Proto-Indo-European *pel- (“to cover, wrap; skin, hide; cloth”) (akin to pellis (“hide, pelt”)), or possibly a substrate loan.
- declension-1, feminineA rectangular piece of cloth worn by ladies in Ancient Rome and fastened with brooches.
Formaepallae(genitive) · palla(nominative, singular) · pallae(nominative, plural) · pallae(genitive, singular) · pallārum(genitive, plural) · pallae(dative, singular) · pallīs(dative, plural) · pallam(accusative, singular) · pallās(accusative, plural) · pallā(ablative, singular) · pallīs(ablative, plural) · palla(singular, vocative) · pallae(plural, vocative)
Fons: Vicitionarium