TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
HUMUS [8 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2024-09-18
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Measuring Instruments
- Silviculture
- Brush, Prairie and Forest Fires
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- duff hygrometer
1, record 1, English, duff%20hygrometer
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The moisture content of the top layer of coniferous needles and twigs covering the forest floor is one of the factors of forest fire danger which must be determined accurately if fire danger in such timber types is to be measured. ... For daily use at numerous field stations, where duff is a forest fire fuel of material significance, some instrumental method giving an immediate indication of duff moisture is necessary. To meet this need [a member] of the U.S. [United States] Forest Products Laboratory, in 1923, invented an instrument called a duff hygrometer. 2, record 1, English, - duff%20hygrometer
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Appareils de mesure
- Sylviculture
- Incendies de végétation
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- hygromètre à humus brut
1, record 1, French, hygrom%C3%A8tre%20%C3%A0%20humus%20brut
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Instrument servant à mesurer la teneur en humidité de la couverture morte et de l'humus brut, notamment en vue de la défense contre les incendies. 1, record 1, French, - hygrom%C3%A8tre%20%C3%A0%20humus%20brut
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Instrumentos de medida
- Silvicultura
- Incendio de la vegetación
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- higrómetro para humus
1, record 1, Spanish, higr%C3%B3metro%20para%20humus
masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2013-08-08
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Plant Biology
- Silviculture
- Soil Science
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- litter
1, record 2, English, litter
correct, noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- forest litter 2, record 2, English, forest%20litter
correct
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[A] layer of loose organic debris on land, composed of freshly fallen leaves or only slightly decayed material, in which the remains of organisms are detectable. 3, record 2, English, - litter
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
It is a constituent of the forest floor. 3, record 2, English, - litter
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Biologie végétale
- Sylviculture
- Science du sol
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- litière
1, record 2, French, liti%C3%A8re
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Couche supérieure du sol forestier composée de feuilles et de débris végétaux peu transformés contrairement à l'humus. 2, record 2, French, - liti%C3%A8re
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Biología vegetal
- Silvicultura
- Ciencia del suelo
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- cubierta muerta
1, record 2, Spanish, cubierta%20muerta
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
- lecho 2, record 2, Spanish, lecho
masculine noun
- capa de humus 3, record 2, Spanish, capa%20de%20humus
feminine noun
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Materia vegetal muerta sobre la superficie del suelo mineral, incluyendo la hojarasca y el humus aún no incorporado. 1, record 2, Spanish, - cubierta%20muerta
Record 3 - internal organization data 2011-09-09
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Soil Science
- Geology
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- mor
1, record 3, English, mor
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- raw humus 2, record 3, English, raw%20humus
correct
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A nonzoogenous forest humus form distinguished by a matted F layer and a holorganic H layer with a sharp delineation from the A horizon. 3, record 3, English, - mor
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
It is generally acid, having high organic carbon content (52% or more) ... 3, record 3, English, - mor
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Various subgroups can be recognized by the morphology, and chemical and biological properties. 3, record 3, English, - mor
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Science du sol
- Géologie
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- mor
1, record 3, French, mor
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- humus brut 2, record 3, French, humus%20brut
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Humus forestier de milieu aéré, peu évolué [...] à incorporation faible de matière organique peu transformée [...] 3, record 3, French, - mor
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Le mor est généralement acide et a une forte teneur en carbone organique (au moins 52 % [...] 4, record 3, French, - mor
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 OBS
On distingue divers sous-groupes définis suivant leur morphologie et leurs propriétés chimiques et biologiques. 4, record 3, French, - mor
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Ciencia del suelo
- Geología
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- mor
1, record 3, Spanish, mor
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
- humus de pinaza 2, record 3, Spanish, humus%20de%20pinaza
masculine noun
- humus bruto 3, record 3, Spanish, humus%20bruto
masculine noun
- humus mor 3, record 3, Spanish, humus%20mor
masculine noun
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Humus con acumulación superficial de restos vegetales, sin mezcla con sustancias minerales, que es el horizonte A0. El horizonte A1 está inmediatamente debajo, con tránsito brusco, y está formado por materia mineral con mezcla de materia orgánica. Es algo soluble en agua y muy dispersable. Posee núcleos poco polimerizados y muchos monómeros. 4, record 3, Spanish, - mor
Record 4 - internal organization data 2011-06-27
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Soil Science
- Geology
- Ecosystems
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- mull
1, record 4, English, mull
correct, noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- forest mull 2, record 4, English, forest%20mull
correct
- mild humus 3, record 4, English, mild%20humus
correct
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A zoogenous forest humus form consisting of an intimate mixture of well-humified organic matter and mineral soil that makes a gradual transition to the horizon underneath. 4, record 4, English, - mull
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Various subgroups can be distinguished by the morphology and chemical characteristics. 4, record 4, English, - mull
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Science du sol
- Géologie
- Écosystèmes
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- mull
1, record 4, French, mull
correct, masculine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- humus doux 2, record 4, French, humus%20doux
correct, masculine noun
- humus intermédiaire 3, record 4, French, humus%20interm%C3%A9diaire
masculine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Humus forestier zoogène constitué d'un mélange homogène de matières organiques bien humifiées et de sol minéral, faisant une transition graduelle avec l'horizon sous-jacent. 4, record 4, French, - mull
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
On distingue plusieurs sous-groupes de mull établis suivant leur morphologie et leurs caractéristiques chimiques. 4, record 4, French, - mull
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Ciencia del suelo
- Geología
- Ecosistemas
Record 4, Main entry term, Spanish
- mull
1, record 4, Spanish, mull
correct, masculine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 4, Synonyms, Spanish
- humus dulce 2, record 4, Spanish, humus%20dulce
masculine noun
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Tipo de humus rico en bases, formado en medio aerobio, biológicamente activo y de mineralización rápida. 3, record 4, Spanish, - mull
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
No es soluble en agua y [es] de difícil dispersión. Tiene núcleos muy polimerizados y pocos monómeros. 4, record 4, Spanish, - mull
Record 5 - internal organization data 2004-01-06
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Soil Science
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- humus
1, record 5, English, humus
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The fraction of the soil organic matter that remains after most of the added plant and animal residues have decomposed. It is usually dark colored. 2, record 5, English, - humus
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Science du sol
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- humus
1, record 5, French, humus
correct, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- terreau 2, record 5, French, terreau
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Fraction des matières organiques qui reste dans le sol après décomposition de la plus grande partie des débris végétaux et animaux incorporés dans le sol. Ces matières ont généralement une couleur foncée. 3, record 5, French, - humus
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
humus : terme uniformisé par le Groupe de travail de terminologie du génie. 4, record 5, French, - humus
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Ciencia del suelo
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- humus
1, record 5, Spanish, humus
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Compuesto orgánico de los suelos que contiene ácido húmico, ácido fúlvico y humina. Se forma en la desintegración de hojas, madera y otras materias vegetales. 2, record 5, Spanish, - humus
Record 6 - internal organization data 2003-11-07
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Plant and Crop Production
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- mulch binder 1, record 6, English, mulch%20binder
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Cultures (Agriculture)
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- couche d'humus
1, record 6, French, couche%20d%27humus
feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Producción vegetal
Record 6, Main entry term, Spanish
- cubierta de humus
1, record 6, Spanish, cubierta%20de%20humus
correct, feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 6, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Parte superior del suelo que presenta rasgos característicos por su contenido en humus. 1, record 6, Spanish, - cubierta%20de%20humus
Record 7 - internal organization data 2003-11-07
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Ecosystems
- Silviculture
- Soil Science
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- humus layer
1, record 7, English, humus%20layer
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
humus: A general term for the more or less decomposed (plant and animal) residues in the soil, litter therefore being excluded. Humus layer is a general term for the surface layers composed of or dominated by organic material, whether unincorporated or incorporated with mineral soil, or at some intermediate stage. 2, record 7, English, - humus%20layer
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Écosystèmes
- Sylviculture
- Science du sol
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- couche humifère
1, record 7, French, couche%20humif%C3%A8re
correct, feminine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
- couche d'humus 2, record 7, French, couche%20d%27humus
correct, feminine noun
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
humus : Au sens large, ensemble des résidus végétaux et animaux plus ou moins décomposés à la surface du sol forestier (non compris la litière). La couche humifère désigne d'une façon générale les horizons de surface composés totalement ou en partie de matière organique plus ou moins intimement mélangée, ou non, au sol minéral. 3, record 7, French, - couche%20humif%C3%A8re
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Ecosistemas
- Silvicultura
- Ciencia del suelo
Record 7, Main entry term, Spanish
- cubierta de humus
1, record 7, Spanish, cubierta%20de%20humus
correct, feminine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 7, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Parte superior del suelo que presenta rasgos característicos por su contenido en humus. 1, record 7, Spanish, - cubierta%20de%20humus
Record 8 - internal organization data 2000-06-30
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Erosion and Weathering (Geol.)
- Geochemistry
- Oceanography
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- marine humus 1, record 8, English, marine%20humus
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Key term(s)
- sea humus
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Érosion et corrosion (Géologie)
- Géochimie
- Océanographie
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- humus marin
1, record 8, French, humus%20marin
masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Erosión y corrosión (Geología)
- Geoquímica
- Oceanografía
Record 8, Main entry term, Spanish
- humus marino
1, record 8, Spanish, humus%20marino
masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 8, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


