I. ˈnā-tiv adjective
Etymology: Middle English natif, from Middle French, from Latin nativus, from natus, past participle of nasci to be born — more at nation
Date: 14th century
1. : inborn , innate
native talents
2. : belonging to a particular place by birth
native to Wisconsin
3. archaic : closely related
4. : belonging to or associated with one by birth
5. : natural , normal
6.
a. : grown, produced, or originating in a particular place or in the vicinity : local
b. : living or growing naturally in a particular region : indigenous
7. : simple , unaffected
8.
a. : constituting the original substance or source
b. : found in nature especially in an unadulterated form
mining native silver
9. chiefly Australian : having a usually superficial resemblance to a specified English plant or animal
10. capitalized : of, relating to, or being a member of an aboriginal people of North or South America : Native American
• na·tive·ly adverb
• na·tive·ness noun
Synonyms:
native , indigenous , endemic , aboriginal mean belonging to a locality. native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it
native tribal customs
indigenous applies to species or races and adds to native the implication of not having been introduced from elsewhere
maize is indigenous to America
endemic implies being peculiar to a region
edelweiss is endemic in the Alps
aboriginal implies having no known race preceding in occupancy of the region
the aboriginal peoples of Australia
II. noun
Date: 1535
1. : one born or reared in a particular place
2.
a. : an original or indigenous inhabitant
b. : something indigenous to a particular locality
3. : a local resident ; especially : a person who has always lived in a place as distinguished from a visitor or a temporary resident