Etymology Map
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Humus

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the dark organic part of soil

Where does the word "humus" come from? It comes from Latin humus, adopted directly into English (1790s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
humus
Latin · ancient
"earth"
earth, ground; 'humble', from 'humilis', low, and perhaps 'human', earthly, come from the same root
2
Stage 2 of 2
humus
English · 1790s
"organic soil"
taken into soil science for decayed plant matter
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Read the full story

Humus’s story begins in Latin: humus meant “earth.” Earth, ground; 'humble', from 'humilis', low, and perhaps 'human', earthly, come from the same root. It reached English by 1790s as humus. Taken into soil science for decayed plant matter. Today, humus means the dark organic part of soil.