From Latin 'hūmānus,' linked to 'humus' (earth), from PIE *dʰǵʰm̥ — mortals as 'earthlings,' formed from and returning to soil.
A member of the species Homo sapiens; a person, distinguished from other animals by advanced cognitive abilities, language, and upright posture.
From Old French 'humain,' from Latin 'hūmānus' meaning 'of or belonging to people,' often contrasted with 'dīvīnus' (of the gods) and 'ferīnus' (of wild beasts). The Latin adjective is traditionally connected to 'humus' (earth, ground), from PIE *dʰǵʰm̥ (earth), suggesting that humans are literally 'earthlings' — creatures of the soil, as opposed to the celestial gods. This etymology was embraced by Roman writers including
The Romans believed the word 'hūmānus' derived from 'humus' (earth), making humans literally 'earth-beings' — the same root that gives us 'humble' (close to the ground), 'exhume' (to dig out of the earth), and 'posthumous' (after burial). Greek 'khthṓn' (earth) is a cognate, giving English 'autochthonous' (sprung from the earth itself).