humus
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]
humus
1796, from L. humus "earth, soil," probably from humi "on the ground,"
from PIE *ghom- (cf. Gk. khamai "on the ground," Lith. zeme, O.C.S. zemlja
"earth," L. humilis "low").
humus nounEtymology: New Latin, from Latin, earth — more at humbleDate: 1796
a brown or black complex variable material resulting from partial
decomposition of plant or animal matter and forming the organic portion
of soil
humus 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
humus
ˈhju:məs n. the organic constituent of soil, usu. formed by the
decomposition of plants and leaves by soil bacteria. øøhumusify v.tr. &
intr. (-ies, -ied). [L, = soil]
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.
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