Adjective

human (comparative more human, superlative most human)

Positive human

Comparative more human

Superlative most human

1. (no comparative or superlative) Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives.
2. (comparable) Having the nature or attributes of a human being.

Related terms

• humane
• humanitarian
• humanitarianism
• humanity

Noun

Wikipedia

Singular human

Plural humans

human (plural humans)

1. A human being, whether man, woman or child.

Humans are bipedal primates belonging to the species Homo sapiens (Latin: "wise man" or "knowing man") in Hominidae, the great ape family. They are the only surviving member of the genus Homo. Humans have a highly developed brain, capable of abstract reasoning, language, introspection, and problem solving. This mental capability, combined with an erect body carriage that frees the arms for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to make far greater use of tools than any other species. Mitochondrial DNA and fossil evidence indicates that modern humans originated in Africa about 200,000 years ago. Humans are widespread in every continent except Antarctica with a total population of 6.8 billion as of November 2009.

Like most higher primates, humans are social by nature. However, humans are uniquely adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression, the exchange of ideas, and organization. Humans create complex social structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families to nations. Social interactions between humans have established an extremely wide variety of values, social norms, and rituals, which together form the basis of human society. Humans have a marked appreciation for beauty and aesthetics which, combined with the human desire for self-expression, has led to cultural innovations such as art, literature and music.

Humans are noted for their desire to understand and influence their environment, seeking to explain and manipulate natural phenomena through science, philosophy, mythology and religion. This natural curiosity has led to the development of advanced tools and skills, which are passed down culturally; humans are the only extant species known to build fires, cook their food, clothe themselves, and use numerous other technologies.

Quotes about people

Sourced

• Human: a minor bipedal life form extant on a squalid little planet named Earth, in a backwater little-known galaxy; they are also known as 'Earthlings'. Humans are characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-entitlement, display a collective form of narcissistic personality disorder, and are generally regarded as the rednecks of the universe. Their problems appear to stem from a disingenuous form of business transaction they call 'land ownership.'
  • Derek Abbott, quoted in The Wickedictionary (2009).

• A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals, and you know it.
  • Agent K in the film Men in Black

• Show me a man or a woman alone and I'll show you a saint. Give me two and they'll fall in love. Give me three and they'll invent the charming thing we call 'society'. Give me four and they'll build a pyramid. Give me five and they'll make one an outcast. Give me six and they'll reinvent prejudice. Give me seven and in seven years they'll reinvent warfare. Man may have been made in the image of God, but human society was made in the image of His opposite number, and is always trying to get back home.
  • Glen Bateman, The Stand (C&U), 3rd paragraph of Chapter 42, by Stephen King

• I judge people by what they might be,—not are, nor will be.
  • Robert Browning, English poet. A Soul’s Tragedy, Act II

• The people will live on. The learning and blundering people will live on.
  • Carl Sandburg (1878–1967), American poet. The People, Yes (1936)

External links