homo-, hom-, hum-

1. Directed to the man; against the man.

Directed at a person's character, not to his logic or record; maliciously critical. In rhetoric, an ad hominem argument attacks the defenders of an opposing position personally rather than sticking to the point.

2. Appealing to personal prejudices or emotions rather than to reason; such as, an ad hominem debate or argument.
3. As part of a Christian ritual, standing behind the altar and facing the congregation (a reference to the celebrant).

In the year of man's redemption.

Equivalent to anno Domini.

In the year of man's redemption.

Equivalent to anno Domini.

An argument against the man.

Argumentum ad hominem is an effective rhetorical tactic, appealing to feelings rather than to intellect, or directed against an opponent's character rather than the subject under discussion. Argumentum ad hominem is considered a logical fallacy, in that such an argument fails to prove a point by failing to address it. In "practical politics" and in many a court of law, argumentum ad hominem is considered persuasive.

The same name is given to an argument in which one employs an opponent's words or actions. It has been said that an illustration of the argumentum ad hominem is found in the technique of the defense lawyer who, when at a loss for legitimate arguments, attacks the attorney for the plaintiff, but it is said that this is not the current usage of this phrase in the United States.

Arts/sciences/humanities.

Motto of the New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico, USA.

For Christ and humanity.

Motto of Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois, USA.

In psychiatry, a sexual perversion in which arousal and orgasm are dependent upon sacrificial killing of the partner; lust murder; sadism, rape (a crime of violence).

To err is human.

Another version is Errare est humanum. It was Alexander Pope, who wrote in his An Essay on Criticism that "To err is human, to forgive, divine."

1. Special honor or respect shown or expressed publicly.
2. Ceremonial acknowledgment by a vassal of allegiance to his lord. A vassal was one who held land from a feudal lord and received protection in return for homage and allegiance.

One who is inclined to homicide.

1. The killing of any human being, whether lawfully or unlawfully; in law there are various types: murder, manslaughter, justifiable homicide, excusable homicide, felonious homicide, etc.
2. One who kills a human being; a man-slayer; in earlier use often a murderer.
3. Anyone who kills another person.

Any kind of mental disease where there is an irresistible impulse to commit murder; used now instead of the previously used term of phonomania.