homer

¹

[ hoh-mer ]

noun

1. Baseball. home run ( def 1 ).
2. Sports.
   1. a game official, media commentator, reporter, etc., who is biased in favor of the home team:

      I really respect that this ref is not a homer—he’s objective about his calls, even though he wants us to win.

   2. a fan with blind faith in or allegiance to their home team:

      Call me a homer, but I’d bet on our team against theirs any day, whatever the statistical evidence.

3. homing pigeon ( def ).

verb (used without object)

1. Baseball. to hit a home run:

   The catcher homered in the ninth with one on to win the game.

homer

²

[ hoh-mer ]

noun

1. a Hebrew unit of capacity equal to ten baths in liquid measure or ten ephahs in dry measure.

Homer

³

[ hoh-mer ]

noun

1. 9th-century b.c., Greek epic poet: reputed author of the Iliad and Odyssey.
2. Winslow, 1836–1910, U.S. painter and illustrator.
3. a male given name.

Homer

¹

/ ˈhəʊmə /

noun

1. Homerc. 800 bcc. 800 bcMGreekWRITING: poet c. 800 bc , Greek poet to whom are attributed the Iliad and the Odyssey. Almost nothing is known of him, but it is thought that he was born on the island of Chios and was blind
2. HomerWinslow18361910MUSARTS AND CRAFTS: painter Winslow. 1836–1910, US painter, noted for his seascapes and scenes of working life

homer

²

/ ˈhəʊmə /

noun

1. another word for homing pigeon
2. an informal word for home run

Homer

1. An ancient Greek poet, author of the Iliadand the Odyssey. He has often been considered the greatest and most influential of all poets. According to tradition, Homer was blind.

Word History and Origins

Origin of homer¹

First recorded in 1865–70; home + -er ¹

Origin of homer²

First recorded in 1525–35, homer is from the Hebrew word ḥōmer literally, heap

Example Sentences

He is of course, referring to Homer's epic poem that follows the travels of Odysseus and his crew, who faced perils such a the monster Scylla and giant whirlpool Charybdis.

From Salon

Sam Farmer picking the Rams as having the seventh-best chance of winning the Super Bowl, over several superior teams like the Green Bay Packers, is such a “homer” pick, even Homer Simpson would be embarrassed.

From Los Angeles Times

Memnon is briefly mentioned in Homer’s “The Odyssey” and his image figures prominently on vase paintings.

From Los Angeles Times

One case included a robot named “Homer” that was supposed to help distribute medication to the elderly and disabled, according to the district attorney.

From Los Angeles Times

The 38-year-old reportedly gained access to a flat in the Italian capital's Prati district via the balcony but became distracted after picking up a book about Homer's Iliad on a bedside table.

From BBC

Related Words

• accomplishment
• coup
• feat
• gain
• grand slam
• success
• win