Early 17th century; earliest use found in Edmund Bolton (?1575/5–?1634), antiquary and historian. After French lettres humaines and its model post-classical Latin litterae humanioresliterae humaniores.
Definition of humane letters in US English:
humane letters
noun
= the humanities.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Edmund Bolton (?1575/5–?1634), antiquary and historian. After French lettres humaines and its model post-classical Latin litterae humaniores literae humaniores.