> < post-classical Latin posthumus, alteration (by folk-etymological association with either humus earth (see humus n.) or (as explained by Servius) humāre to bury (see humation n.)) of classical Latin postumus (adjective) last, last-born, born after the father's death, (noun) child born after the father's death (earliest attested as a personal name; < post after (see post- prefix) + -mus (see -mo suffix, -most suffix), as superlative corresponding to posterus later, next: see postero- comb. form) + -ous suffix.