I. ˈhəm-bəl also chiefly Southern ˈəm- adjective
( hum·bler -b(ə-)lər ; hum·blest -b(ə-)ləst)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin humilis low, humble, from humus earth; akin to Greek chthōn earth, chamai on the ground
Date: 13th century
1. : not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive
2. : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission
a humble apology
3.
a. : ranking low in a hierarchy or scale : insignificant , unpretentious
b. : not costly or luxurious
a humble contraption
• hum·ble·ness -bəl-nəs noun
• hum·bly -blē adverb
II. transitive verb
( hum·bled ; hum·bling -b(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 14th century
1. : to make humble in spirit or manner
2. : to destroy the power, independence, or prestige of
• hum·bler -b(ə-)lər noun
• hum·bling·ly -b(ə-)liŋ-lē adverb