Human
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈçjuË.mÉ™nÌ©/, /ˈhjuË.mÉ™nÌ©/
- New York IPA: /ˈjuË.mÉ™nÌ©/
- Rhymes: -uËmÉ™n
- Hyphenation: hu + man
Origin
From Middle French humain, from Latin hÅ«mÄnus ("of or belonging to a man, human, humane"), from homo ("man, human"). Spelling human has been predominant since the early 18th century.
Random House Dictionary, 2010
Displaced Old English guma (whence Modern English groom).
Full definition of human
Adjective
human
- (notcomp) Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives.
- 2013-06-07, David Simpson, Fantasy of navigation, Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth.
- (comparable) Having the nature or attributes of a human being.To err is human; to forgive is divine.
- 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 1, She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 20, The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.
- 2011 August 17, Holman W. Jenkins, Jr., The Many Wars of Google: Handset makers will learn to live with their new ‘frenemy’, Business World, The Wall Street Journal,Google wouldn't be human if it didn't want some of this loot, which buying Motorola would enable it to grab.
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Noun
human
(plural humans)- A human being, whether man, woman or child.
- 2013, Katie L. Burke, In the News, Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola.
- Humans share common ancestors with other apes.