smalacommon nounSyllable DecompositionsmalaEtymologyexpandborrowed from Maghrebi Arabic زملة, zmala ("tribe, family").Definitions1. A gathering of tents sheltering families and the retinue of an Arab tribal leader who accompanies them during their travels.histoireexpand2. A large family, a numerous entourage, a large group.familiarexpandIl est venu avec toute la smala.PluralsmalasSee alsosmalah (cn.)