humus

[hyoo-muhs, yoo-]

noun

1. the dark organic material in soils, produced by the decomposition of vegetable or animal matter and essential to the fertility of the earth.

humus

/ ˈhjuːməs /

noun

1. a dark brown or black colloidal mass of partially decomposed organic matter in the soil. It improves the fertility and water retention of the soil and is therefore important for plant growth

humus

1. A dark-brown or black organic substance made up of decayed plant or animal matter. Humus provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water.

Confusables Note

See hummus

Other Word Forms

• nonhumus noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of humus¹

1790–1800; < Latin: earth, ground; akin to Greek chamaí on the ground, chthṓn earth, Sanskrit kṣam-, Lithuanian žẽmė, Serbo-Croatian zèmlja ground, earth; chameleon, chthonian, zemstvo; Homo

Word History and Origins

Origin of humus¹

C18: from Latin: soil, earth

Related Words

• clay 
• coast 
• dirt 
• dust 
• gravel 
• land 
• mud 
• sand 
• shore 
• surface 
• terrain 
• turf