ABORIGINAL


Meaning of ABORIGINAL in English

/ ˌæbəˈrɪdʒənl; NAmE / adjective , noun

■ adjective

1.

(usually Aboriginal ) relating to the original people living in Australia :

the issue of Aboriginal land rights

2.

relating to the original people, animals, etc. of a place and to a period of time before Europeans arrived :

the aboriginal peoples of Canada

aboriginal art / culture

■ noun

(usually Aboriginal ) a member of a race of people who were the original people living in a country, especially Australia

—see also Koori

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WORD ORIGIN

mid 17th cent.: from Latin aborigines original inhabitants (in classical times referring to those of Italy and Greece, from the Latin phrase ab origine from the beginning) + -al .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.