Mankind
/ˈmæn.kaɪnd/noun
The human species, collectively; humanity.
Did you know?The term 'mankind' derives from Old English, where it originally signified not just humanity but also the essence of 'man' as a being of strength and power, often linked to divine creation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*manu-
“A term indicating a hand or the act of handling, reflecting a sense of humanity's agency.”
Old English
Old English
mæn
“A term for a human being, emphasizing the gender aspect of 'man'.”
Old English
Old English
cyn
“Meaning 'kin' or 'family', reflecting the communal aspect of humanity.”
Middle English
Middle English
mankinde
“An evolution of the term, merging 'man' and 'kind', denoting the human race.”
Modern English
Modern English
mankind
“The collective term for humanity, evolving into a more neutral reference for all people.”