Adjacent Words

humus definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: partially decomposed organic matter; the organic component of soil
2: a thick spread made from mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic; used especially as a dip for pita; originated in the Middle East [syn: hummus, humus, hommos, hoummos, humous]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, earth — more at humble Date: 1796 a brown or black complex variable material resulting from partial decomposition of plant or animal matter and forming the organic portion of soil

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. the organic constituent of soil, usu. formed by the decomposition of plants and leaves by soil bacteria. Derivatives: humusify v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied). Etymology: L, = soil

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Humus Hu"mus, n. [L., the earth, ground, soil.] That portion of the soil formed by the decomposition of animal or vegetable matter. It is a valuable constituent of soils. --Graham.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Humus is the part of soil which consists of dead plants that have begun to decay.