noun, plural hu·man·i·ties.
- all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.
- the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
- the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.
- the humanities,
- the study of classical languages and classical literature.
- the Latin and Greek classics as a field of study.
- literature, philosophy, art, etc., as distinguished from the natural sciences.
- the study of literature, philosophy, art, etc.
noun plural -ties
- the human race
- the quality of being human
- kindness or mercy
- the humanities (plural) the study of literature, philosophy, and the arts
- the study of Ancient Greek and Roman language, literature, etc
late 14c., “kindness, graciousness,” from Old French humanité, umanité “human nature; humankind, life on earth; pity,” from Latin humanitatem (nominative humanitas) “human nature; philanthropy, kindness; good breeding, refinement; the human race, mankind,” from humanus (see human). Sense of “human nature, human form” is c.1400; that of “human race” first recorded mid-15c.