First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin; cf. here ( def. ); Homo ( def. )
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This flattered Goethe, who called it the inverse "ecce homo," and felt its allusion to his citizenship, not in Germany, but in the world.
From The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Vol. III. (of IV.) by Sloane, William Milligan
"What are you making such an ecce homo face for?" she said, in her brusquest tone, which now stood her in good stead in concealing her emotion.
From In Paradise A Novel. Vol. II by Heyse, Paul
Ung aultre tableau de ecce homo ung escripteau pendu au col et petitz anges en chiefs, tenant en une main ung fouet et verges et en l'autre une canne, le fond rouge.
From The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria by Tremayne, Eleanor E.
The hero is haunted by the notion that a great misfortune will fall upon his family, whenever a travelling dealer shall offer an ecce homo for sale to any one of its members.
From The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 3, February, 1851 by Various
A common term for an emaciated-looking man is to call him an "ecce homo," and a "grippe Jésus" is thieves' slang for a gendarme.
From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 15, No. 88, April, 1875 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
