n. & adj.
n. 1 a (usu. foll. by of) a person born in a specified place, or whose parents are domiciled in that place at the time of the birth (a native of Bristol). b a local inhabitant. 2 often offens. a a member of a non-White indigenous people, as regarded by the colonial settlers. b S.Afr. a Black person. 3 (usu. foll. by of) an indigenous animal or plant. 4 an oyster reared in British waters, esp. in artificial beds (a Whitstable native). 5 Austral. a White person born in Australia.
adj. 1 (usu. foll. by to) belonging to a person or thing by nature; inherent; innate (spoke with the facility native to him). 2 of one's birth or birthplace (native dress; native country). 3 belonging to one by right of birth. 4 (usu. foll. by to) belonging to a specified place (the anteater is native to S. America). 5 a (esp. of a non-European) indigenous; born in a place. b of the natives of a place (native customs). 6 unadorned; simple; artless. 7 Geol. (of metal etc.) found in a pure or uncombined state. 8 Austral. & NZ resembling an animal or plant familiar elsewhere (native rabbit). go native (of a settler) adopt the local way of life, esp. in a non-European country. native bear Austral. & NZ = KOALA. native rock rock in its original place. natively adv. nativeness n.
[ ME (earlier as adj.) f. OF natif -ive or L nativus f. nasci nat- be born ]