autochthonous

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Antonyms 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Related terms 1.3.5 Translations 1.3.6 Trivia

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Literally, "native to the soil"; from autochthon +‎ -ous.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ɔːˈtɒkθənəs/, SAMPA: /O:"takT@n@s/
• (US) IPA: /ɑːˈtɑːkθənəs/

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Adjective

autochthonous (not comparable)

1. Native to the place where found; indigenous.
   • 1889, Justin Winsor, Narrative and Critical History of America, Vol. I, page 375:

     Two of the most celebrated of the evolutionists reject the autochthonous view, for Darwin's Descent of Man and Haeckel's Hist. of Creation consider the American man an emigrant from the old world, whatever way the race may have developed

2. (biology, medicine) Originating, where found.
3. (geology) Buried in place, especially of a fossil preserved in its life position without disturbance or disarticulation.
   • 1992, Anna K. Behrensmeyer, et al., Terrestrial Ecosystems Through Time, page 83:

     Death and burial may be simultaneous, resulting in a preserved snapshot of an autochthonous assemblage that may be compared directly with present day ecosystems.

[edit] Synonyms

• (native to the place where found): aboriginal, autochthonic, indigenous, native

[edit] Antonyms

• (buried in place): allochthonous

[edit] Derived terms

• autochthonously
• parautochtonous

[edit] Related terms

• autochthonal
• autochthonic
• autochthonism
• autochthony

[edit] Translations

[edit] Trivia

• "Autochthonous" was the winning word at the 2004 Scripps National Spelling Bee.