aboriginal
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also Aboriginal
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
See Aboriginal.
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
aboriginal (comparative more aboriginal, superlative most aboriginal)
- First according to historical or scientific records; original; indigenous; primitive. [First attested in the mid 17th century.][1]
- 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion, Longman et al. (publishers), page 277:
- Green in the Church-yard, beautiful and green; / […] / And mantled o'er with aboriginal turf / And everlasting flowers.
- 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion, Longman et al. (publishers), page 277:
- Living in a land before colonization by the Europeans. [First attested in the late 17th century.][1]
- Alternative capitalization of Aboriginal [First attested in the late 18th century.][1]
Synonyms [edit]
- (indigenous to a place): native, indigenous, autochthonous, endemic, original, first, earliest, primitive, ancient, primordial, primeval
Derived terms [edit]
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
original; indigenous
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Noun [edit]
aboriginal (plural aboriginals)
- An aboriginal inhabitant or language. [First attested in the mid 18th century.][1]
- Charles Darwin
- It may well be doubted whether this frog is an aboriginal of these islands.
- Charles Darwin
- Alternative capitalization of Aboriginal [First attested in the mid 18th century.][1]
Usage notes [edit]
- Using uncapitalized aboriginal to refer to people or anything associated with people may cause offence.
- In Canada, style manuals recommend against using the noun Aboriginal for a person or people.
- See also the usage notes under Aboriginal.
