homo

ho-mo · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (Biology/Taxonomy) The genus of primates that includes modern humans (Homo sapiens) and related extinct species.

  2. 2.

    (Prefix) A combining form meaning "same" or "alike," used in scientific and technical terms.

Forms

plural: homos

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Homo sapiens — the species name for modern humans
  • •
    Homo erectus — an extinct species of archaic human

Related words

See also: human, sapiens, species
Synonyms: human, human being

Etymology

From Latin homo ("human being, man"), from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰmṓ ("earthling"). In scientific nomenclature, used by Linnaeus in 1758 to name the genus containing humans.