hom-

hom-

pref.

Variant of homo-.

ho•mo

(ˈhoʊ moʊ)

n., pl. -mos.

usage: This term is usually used with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting.

—n. Slang: Usually Disparaging and Offensive.

(a term used to refer to a homosexual.)

[1925–30; by shortening]

Ho•mo

(ˈhoʊ moʊ)

n., pl. -mos.

1. (italics) the genus of bipedal primates that includes modern humans and several extinct forms, as H. erectus and H. habilis, distinguished by their large brains and a dependence on tools.

2. (sometimes l.c.)

a. a member of this genus.

b. the species Homo sapiens or one of its members.

[1590–1600; < Latin homō man; Old Latin hemō, akin to humus ground, soil (see humus); c. Old English guma, Welsh dyn man, Lithuanian žmónės men]

homo-

a combining form meaning “same, identical”: homogeneous; homosexual.

Also, esp. before a vowel, hom-.

[< Greek, comb. form of homós one and the same; akin to Skt sama-; see same]