indigenous
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in·dig·e·nous

adjective \in-ˈdi-jə-nəs\

Definition of INDIGENOUS

1
: produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment <indigenous plants> <the indigenous culture>
2
in·dig·e·nous·ly adverb
in·dig·e·nous·ness noun

Examples of INDIGENOUS

  1. There are several indigenous groups that still live in the area.
  2. <the culture of the indigenous people of that country>
  3. Viking invaders quickly subdued the indigenous population, known as the Picts. —Jared M. Diamond, Collapse, 2005

Origin of INDIGENOUS

Late Latin indigenus, from Latin indigena, noun, native, from Old Latin indu, endo in, within + Latin gignere to beget — more at end-, kin
First Known Use: 1646

Related to INDIGENOUS

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

in·dig·e·nous

adjective \in-ˈdij-ə-nəs\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INDIGENOUS

1
: having originated in and being produced, growing, or living naturally in a particular region or environment <a disease indigenous to the tropics> <colonization by small numbers of indigenous enteric bacteria—C. M. Kunin et al>
2
: being inborn or innate <a type of behavior that is indigenous to human beings>
in·dig·e·nous·ly adverb

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