ə̇nˈdijənəs adjective
Etymology: Late Latin indigenus, from Latin indigena, n., native, from Old Latin indu, endo in, within (akin to Greek end ina entrails, Hittite anda within, into) + Latin -gena (akin to Latin gignere to beget); Old Latin indu, endo and its cognates all from a prehistoric Indo-European or Indo-Hittite compound whose first constituent is represented by Latin in and whose second constituent is akin to Latin de from, down, away — more at in , de- , kin
: native:
a.
(1) : not introduced directly or indirectly according to historical record or scientific analysis into a particular land or region or environment from the outside
Indians were the indigenous inhabitants of America
species of plants that are indigenous to that country
(2) : originating or developing or produced naturally in a particular land or region or environment
an interesting example of indigenous architecture
a people with a rich indigenous culture
(3) : of, relating to, or designed for natives
the establishment of indigenous schools
b. : inborn , innate , inherent
a type of behavior that is indigenous to human beings
Synonyms: see native