■ noun
1》 a person born in a specified place or associated with a place by birth.
↘a local inhabitant.
2》 an animal or plant indigenous to a place.
3》 dated, often offensive a non-white original inhabitant of a country as regarded by European colonists or travellers.
■ adjective
1》 associated with the place or circumstances of a person's birth.
↘of the indigenous inhabitants of a place.
2》 (of a plant or animal) of indigenous origin or growth.
3》 innate; in a person's character: ~ wit.
4》 (of a metal or other mineral) found in a pure or uncombined state.
Phrases
go ~ derogatory (of a person living abroad) adopt the way of life of the country one is living in.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from L. nativus , from nat- , nasci 'be born'.
Usage
In contexts such as a ~ of Boston or New York was too hot even for the ~s , the use of the noun ~ is quite acceptable. When used to refer to non-white original inhabitants of a country, however, it has an old-fashioned feel and may cause offence.