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Glite Dictionary
humic substance

humic substance

7.9
A dark material made from dead plants and animals found in soil and peat
  • noun
  • /ˈhjuːmɪk ˈsʌbstəns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sustancia húmica
  • Scientists study humic substances to better understand nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

Examples

  • Humic substances, essential for soil fertility, contribute significantly to humic substance growth and health.

  • Many gardeners add humic substances to improve soil quality.

  • Humic substance plays a crucial role in improving soil fertility and structure.

  • The presence of humic substance in water can affect its color and quality.

  • The humic substance in this peat is very dark.

  • Research shows that humic substances play a vital role in enhancing the quality of compost.

  • Farmers add humic substances to their soil to improve nutrient retention and promote healthy crops.

Synonyms

humus
vshumic substance
  • Specialized
2 5.8

Decayed plant matter in soil that helps plants grow

includes material from both plants and animals and is also found in peat

Surface Forms

humic substance singular
humic substances plural

Morphology

humic + substance

The phrase is directly compositional: 'humic' means pertaining to organic matter in soil and 'substance' means matter, so together they denote organic material formed from decomposed plant/animal matter in soil or peat. This adjective+noun pattern is a standard, predictable composition, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The noun humic substance comes from the old word humus, which means 'earth' or 'soil'. The part humic points to that dark, earth material and substance means 'material'. So the name tells you it is the dark, decayed plant and animal material in soil that helps plants grow.