humic

American

[hyoo-mik, yoo-] / ˈhyu mɪk, ˈyu- /

adjective

Chemistry.

of or noting a substance, as an acid, obtained from humus.

humic British

/ ˈhjuːmɪk /

adjective

of, relating to, derived from, or resembling humus

humic acids

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of humic

1835–45; < Latin hum(us) “ground, mold” + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The decaying mosses release humic acids and sphagnan, a complex sugar, that make life difficult for the microorganisms that would normally cause rotting and decay.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2023

Organic-rich soils seem particularly problematic; they are ripe with molecules like humic acid, which behaves like DNA and can foul later sequencing.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 10, 2019

Lignite coal is the main raw material for Yongye’s humic acid products, according to filings.

From BusinessWeek • Jun. 22, 2011

The purchase of the humic acid supplier opened access to raw materials, said Yu.

From BusinessWeek • Jun. 22, 2011

According to Mulder, it is composed of a number of organic bodies, and he has identified the following substances—ulmin, humin, ulmic, humic, geic acids, &c.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Aikman, Charles Morton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023