Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Robert Mayne (1808–1868). From post-classical Latin malleiformis from classical Latin malleus hammer + -formis.
Definition of malleiform in US English:
malleiform
adjectiveˈmaliːɪfɔːm
rare
Having the form of a hammer.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Robert Mayne (1808–1868). From post-classical Latin malleiformis from classical Latin malleus hammer + -formis.