homunculus
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.”
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.
Word forms
homunculi plural, homunculuses plural
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.