homo
UK[ˈhəʊməʊ]US[ˈhoʊmoʊ]
n
A member of the genus Homo, which includes modern humans (Homo sapiens) and extinct, closely related species.
n
(Informal, offensive) A shortening of "homosexual", used as a derogatory term.
Etymology
The word 'homo' is a direct loanword from Latin, where 'homō' (genitive 'hominis') meant "human being, man." This Latin term is of uncertain ultimate origin but is likely derived from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "earth" or "ground," conceptually linking humans to being "earthly beings" or "those from the earth." In modern scientific taxonomy, established by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, 'Homo' was adopted as the genus name for humans, emphasizing our shared characteristics as a distinct biological group. The informal and offensive slang usage arose in the 20th century as a clipped form of "homosexual," creating a stark semantic divergence from its original Latin and scientific meanings.
Analysis
The word is a simplex borrowing from Latin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within its current English spelling.
Examples
Homo erectus is believed to have been the first human ancestor to walk fully upright.
The discovery of the fossil provided new insights into the migration patterns of early Homo species.
Using "homo" as a slur is disrespectful and perpetuates discrimination.