Main Entry:

in·dig·e·nous

Pronunciation:

\in-ˈdi-jə-nəs\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Late Latin indigenus, from Latin indigena, noun, native, from Old Latin indu, endo in, within + Latin gignere to beget — more at end-, kin

Date:

1646

1 : having originated in and being produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment <indigenous plants> <the indigenous culture> 2 : innate, inborn

synonyms see native

— in·dig·e·nous·ly adverb

— in·dig·e·nous·ness noun