humanities

Variant of humanity

humanity definition

hu·man·ity (hyo̵̅o̅ man′ə tē, yo̵̅o̅-)

noun pl. humanities -·ties

  1. the fact or quality of being human; human nature
  2. human qualities or characteristics, esp. those considered desirable
  3. the human race; mankind; people
  4. the fact or quality of being humane; kindness, mercy, sympathy, etc.

Etymology: ME humanite < OFr < L humanitas

humanity Idioms

the humanities

  1. languages and literature, esp. the classical Greek and Latin
  2. the branches of learning concerned with human thought and relations, as distinguished from the sciences; esp., literature, philosophy, history, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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