humanities
pronunciation
How to pronounce humanities in British English:
UK [hju:'mænɪtɪz]
How to pronounce humanities in American English:
US [hju'mænətɪz]
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- Noun:
- studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
Word Origin
- humanities
- 1702; plural of humanity, which was used in English from late 15c. in a sense "class of studies concerned with human culture" (opposed variously at different times to divinity or sciences). Latin literae humaniores, they were those branches of literature (ancient classics, rhetoric, poetry) which tended to humanize or refine.
Example
- 1. There are powerful factors holding chinese humanities departments back .
- 2. The humanities continue to thrive in elite liberal arts schools .
- 3. But the current state of chinese humanities is frankly atrocious .
- 4. And these are skills that training in the humanities can enhance .
- 5. Baldly marketing the humanities makes some in the field uneasy .