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