Humus
['hjuːməs] or ['hjuməs]
Definition
(noun.) partially decomposed organic matter; the organic component of soil.
Checked by Judith--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) That portion of the soil formed by the decomposition of animal or vegetable matter. It is a valuable constituent of soils.
Editor: Rena
Definition
n. a brown or black powder in rich soils formed by the action of air on animal or vegetable matter.—adj. Hū′mous.
Editor: Susanna
Examples
- The water which thus passes into the humus and the soil beneath does not remain there, but slowly seeps downward, and finally after weeks and months emerges at a lower level as a stream. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- It is due also to the presence on the ground of decaying leaves and twigs, or humus. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
Typist: Tyler