μάλαξις
From LSJ
Νέµουσι δ' οἴκους καὶ τὰ ναυστολούµενα ἔσω δόµων σῴζουσιν, οὐδ' ἐρηµίᾳ γυναικὸς οἶκος εὐπινὴς οὐδ' ὄλβιος → They manage households, and save what is brought by sea within the home, and no house deprived of a woman can be tidy and prosperous
English (LSJ)
[μᾰ], εως, ἡ,
A softening, Thphr.HP5.3.3; διὰ πυρός Plu.2.436a; σιδήρου ib.c; μ. τῆς τροφῆς digestion, ib.700b.