noun
homunculus
ho-MUHNGK-yuu-luhs
Homunculus (noun) means a small, human-like figure, especially one imagined as artificially created. Example: “In the story, the alchemist grows a homunculus in a glass jar.”
noun
1
A small, human-like figure, especially one imagined as artificially created.
"In the story, the alchemist grows a homunculus in a glass jar."
2
A distorted map of the human body found on the brain's surface, showing which areas control which body parts.
"The sensory homunculus gives huge space to the lips and hands compared to the torso."
How to use homunculus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally "little man" — used both for a tiny artificial human in old legends and fiction, and for the brain's distorted body-map in neuroscience.
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Word forms
- Plural
- homunculi, homunculuses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the story, the alchemist grows a _____ in a glass jar.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin homunculus, literally "little man", from homo ("man") + the diminutive ending -culus.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for homunculus
See all rhymes for homunculus →Frequently asked questions
What does “homunculus” mean?
The word “homunculus” means a small, human-like figure, especially one imagined as artificially created. In plain terms, literally "little man" — used both for a tiny artificial human in old legends and fiction, and for the brain's distorted body-map in neuroscience.
How do you pronounce “homunculus”?
“Homunculus” is pronounced ho-MUHNGK-yuu-luhs (/həˈmʌŋk.jə.ləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “homunculus” in a sentence?
Here is “homunculus” used in a sentence: “In the story, the alchemist grows a homunculus in a glass jar.”
What part of speech is “homunculus”?
“Homunculus” is a noun.
Where does the word “homunculus” come from?
The word “homunculus” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin homunculus, literally "little man", from homo ("man") + the diminutive ending -culus.
How many meanings does “homunculus” have?
“Homunculus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, human-like figure, especially one imagined as artificially created.
