indigenous

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[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Late Latin indigenus (native, born in a country), from indi- (indu-), an old derivative of in (in), gen- the root of gignō (give birth to), and English -ous. Compare indigene.

[edit] Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA: /ɪnˈdɪdʒ.ɪ.nəs/, /ɪnˈdɪdʒ.ən.əs/

[edit] Adjective

indigenous (not comparable)

  1. (chiefly of living things) Born or engendered in, native to a land or region, especially before an intrusion. [from 17th c.]
    • 1862, Henry David Thoreau, "Wild Apples: The History of the Apple Tree":
      Not only the Indian, but many indigenous insects, birds, and quadrupeds, welcomed the apple-tree to these shores.
  2. Innate, inborn. [from 19th c.]
    • 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, ch. 18:
      She was a native and essential cook, as much as Aunt Chloe,—cooking being an indigenous talent of the African race.
    • 1883, George MacDonald, "Stephen Archer" in Stephen Archer and Other Tales:
      He had all the tricks of a newspaper boy indigenous in him.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

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