HUMAN


Meaning of HUMAN in English

/ ˈhjuːmən; NAmE / adjective , noun

■ adjective

1.

[ only before noun ] of or connected with people rather than animals, machines or gods :

the human body / brain

human anatomy / activity / behaviour / experience

a terrible loss of human life

Contact with other people is a basic human need .

This food is not fit for human consumption .

human geography (= the study of the way different people live around the world)

The hostages were used as a human shield (= a person or group of people that is forced to stay in a particular place where they would be hurt or killed if their country attacked it) .

Firefighters formed a human chain (= a line of people) to carry the children to safety.

Human remains (= the body of a dead person) were found inside the house.

2.

showing the weaknesses that are typical of people, which means that other people should not criticize the person too much :

human weaknesses / failings

We must allow for human error .

It's only human to want the best for your children.

3.

having the same feelings and emotions as most ordinary people :

He's really very human when you get to know him.

The public is always attracted to politicians who have the human touch (= the ability to make ordinary people feel relaxed when they meet them) .

—compare inhuman , non-human

IDIOMS

- the human face of ...

- with a human face

—more at milk noun

■ noun

(also ˌhuman ˈbeing ) a person rather than an animal or a machine :

Dogs can hear much better than humans.

That is no way to treat another human being.

••

WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English humaine , from Old French humain(e) , from Latin humanus , from homo man, human being. The present spelling became usual in the 18th cent.; compare with humane .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.