HUMBLE

I. adjective (~r; ~st) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin humilis low, ~, from humus earth; akin to Greek chthōn earth, chamai on the ground Date: 13th century not proud or haughty ; not arrogant or assertive, reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission , 3. ranking low in a hierarchy or scale ; insignificant , unpretentious , not costly or luxurious , ~ness noun humbly adverb II. transitive verb (~d; humbling) Date: 14th century to make ~ in spirit or manner, to destroy the power, independence, or prestige of, ~r noun humblingly adverb