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hum·ble

(hŭmbəl)

adj. hum·bler, hum·blest

1. Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.

2. Showing deferential or submissive respect: a humble apology.

3. Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly: a humble cottage.

tr.v. hum·bled, hum·bling, hum·bles

1. To cause to feel humble: "He was humbled by the lack of consolation in Kornblum's expression" (Michael Chabon).

2. To cause to have a lower condition or status; abase.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin humilis, low, lowly, from humus, ground; see dhghem- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

humble·ness n.

humbler n.

humbly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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