See Also: humble(medicine)
humble-bee(dictionary)
humble(dictionary)
humble-jumble(dictionary)
humble 1, adjective(dictionary)
humble 2, verb(dictionary)

humble (iou)



humble adjective1 & verb1. ME.
[Old French umble, (also mod.) humble from Latin humilis low, lowly, base, from humus ground, earth, rel. to homo man.]
A. adjective.
Having or showing a low estimate of one's own importance; (of an action, thought, etc.) offered with or affected by such an estimate; lacking assertion, deferential. ME.
J. London He was humble and meek, filled with self-disparagement and abasement. J. Buchan You're a great man. I offer you my humble congratulations. K. Amis He muttered something and looked suitably humble, grateful and so on.
Of lowly rank or condition; modest; (of a thing) of modest dimensions, pretensions, etc. LME.
Day Lewis A love which had its humble beginnings in the harmonium at Monart. A. Thwaite Getting any..place in the Civil Service, however humble, involved the exercise of patronage.
Of a plant: low-growing (now chiefly fig. and passing into sense 1). Formerly also, (of land) low-lying. L16.
Phrases: eat humble pie [with punning ref. to umble pie s.v. UMBLES as an inferior dish] make a humble apology; accept humiliation. your humble (servant) arch.: used in subscription of a letter or as a form of ironical courtesy.
b. verb.
verb refl. & intrans. Lower oneself in respect or submission; bow. arch. LME.
S. Purchas All the people did humble themselves, laying earth upon their heads.
verb trans. Lower in dignity, position, etc.; abase; make humble in spirit. L15.
Baroness Orczy She would crush her own pride, humble it before him.
humbleness noun LME.
humbler noun E17.
humblingly adverb in a humbling manner M19.
humbly adverb LME.