homo

/'houmou/

Học thuật

Thân thiện

A paleontologist carefully examines a homo fossil at a museum.

Definition

Noun:
- A member of the genus Homo: Any living or extinct species of the genus Homo, characterized by bipedal locomotion, relatively large brain capacity, and the ability to make and use complex tools. This is a scientific/biological term.
- A person who is homosexual: (Informal, sometimes considered offensive) A person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of their own sex. This usage is a shortening of the word "homosexual."

Usage and Examples

Noun (Biological Genus):
- Homo sapiens is the only surviving species of the genus Homo.
- Fossils of Homo erectus have been found across Africa and Asia.
Noun (Informal for Homosexual):
- (Note: This term can be derogatory. It is often reclaimed within the LGBTQ+ community but should be used with caution by others.)
- The slur was a derogatory reference to his being a homo.
- (Reclaimed use): He proudly identified as a homo in his social media bio.

Advanced Usage and Notes

Scientific Context: In taxonomy, is always italicized and capitalized when referring to the genus. The genus includes species like , , and .
Social Context: The informal use is highly context-dependent. It has historically been used as a pejorative. Its acceptability depends on the speaker, the audience, and the intent. The more standard and neutral terms are "gay," "lesbian," or "homosexual person."

Variants and Related Words

Homosexual (adj/n): Relating to or characterized by sexual attraction to people of one's own sex. (More formal/clinical term).
Hominid (n): A member of the biological family Hominidae, which includes great apes and humans. (Broader category than ).
Hominin (n): A member of the tribe Hominini, which includes modern humans, extinct human species, and our immediate ancestors. (More specific category).

Synonyms

For the biological genus: Human genus, genus (scientific).
For the informal term: Gay (adj/n), lesbian (for women), homosexual (adj/n). (Note: "Queer" is a broader, reclaimed term but has a complex history).

Related Phrases and Idioms

Homo sapiens: The binomial name for modern humans, meaning "wise man."
Homo economicus: A theoretical concept in economics portraying humans as rational and self-interested actors.
(No common idioms or phrasal verbs are directly formed from the standalone word "homo").

A paleontologist carefully examines a homo fossil at a museum.

Noun

any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage
someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex

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