aboriginal

¹ab·orig·i·nal

adj \ˌa-bə-ˈrij-nəl, -ˈri-jə-n^əl\

Definition of ABORIGINAL

1

: being the first or earliest known of its kind present in a region <aboriginal forests> <aboriginal rocks>

2

a : of or relating to aborigines b often capitalized : of or relating to the indigenous peoples of Australia

— ab·orig·i·nal·ly adverb

Examples of ABORIGINAL

1. the aboriginal peoples of Australia
2. <the aboriginal peoples of northern Alaska are known as Inupiats, which in their language literally means “real people”>

First Known Use of ABORIGINAL

1667

Related to ABORIGINAL

Synonyms: native, autochthonous, born, domestic, endemic, indigenous

Antonyms: nonindigenous, nonnative

Related Words: local, regional; original

Near Antonyms: imported, introduced, transplanted; alien, exotic, foreign, strange; expatriate, immigrant

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See Synonym Discussion at native

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt