Homo

¹

[hoh-moh]

noun

1. the genus of bipedal primates that includes modern humans and several extinct forms, distinguished by their large brains and a dependence upon tools.

2. Facetious.,  (used in made-up taxonomic expressions to denote a type of human being).

   The door opens, and in walks Homo stupidus.

homo

²

[hoh-moh]

noun

Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

plural

homos 

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay person, especially a gay man.

homo-

³

1. a combining form appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “same” (homology ); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (homomorphic ).

homo

¹

/ ˈhəʊməʊ /

noun

1. informal,  short for homosexual

homo

²

/ ˈhəʊməʊ /

noun

1. informal,  homogenized milk

Homo

³

/ ˈhəʊməʊ /

noun

1. a genus of hominids including modern man (see Homo sapiens ) and several extinct species of primitive man, including Homo habilis and Homo erectus

homo-

⁴

combining form

1. being the same or like Compare hetero-

   homologous

   homosexual

homo–

1. A prefix meaning “same,” as in homogamous, having the same kind of flower.

Homo

1. The genus to which human beings belong. The genus Homo includes Neanderthals and other hominids closely related to today's humans, such as Homo erectus.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Homo¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin homō “man, human,” literally “the earthly one,” derivative of humus “earth, ground, soil”; related to Latin hūmānus “pertaining to man, human”; akin to Old English guma, Old Irish duine, Welsh dyn, Old Lithuanian žmuõ “human being”; humus, human

Origin of Homo²

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening of homosexual ( def. )

Origin of Homo³

< Greek, combining form of homós one and the same; akin to Sanskrit sama-; same

Word History and Origins

Origin of Homo¹

Latin: man

Origin of Homo²

via Latin from Greek, from homos same

Example Sentences

But their construction, and ingenuity, has one wondering about the intelligence and fortitude of these homo sapiens who lived as many as 9,000 years ago.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At least on this planet, only members of homo sapiens are freaky enough to be entertained by a cat dressed as an avocado.

Read more on Salon

You also discuss how, even if Ricardo didn't articulate it this way, he was the origin of the concept of "homo economicus," or economic man.

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His brand of toiletry involves writing stories for the absolutely lowest common denominator of homo sapiens.

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Musk is convinced of this, in part, because he fears artificial intelligence will very soon become all-powerful and inclined to exterminate homo sapiens.

Read more on Seattle Times