Dictionary
1aboriginal
adjective ab·orig·i·nal \ˌa-bə-ˈrij-nəl, -ˈri-jə-nəl\
: of or relating to the people and things that have been in a region from the earliest time
: of or relating to the native people of Australia : of or relating to Australian aborigines
Full 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
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First Known Use of ABORIGINAL
1650
Related to ABORIGINAL
- Synonyms
- native, autochthonous, born, domestic, endemic, indigenous
- Antonyms
- nonindigenous, nonnative
Synonym Discussion of ABORIGINAL
native, indigenous, endemic, aboriginal mean belonging to a locality. native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it <native tribal customs>. indigenous applies to species or races and adds to native the implication of not having been introduced from elsewhere <maize is indigenous to America>. endemic implies being peculiar to a region <edelweiss is endemic in the Alps>. aboriginal implies having no known race preceding in occupancy of the region <the aboriginal peoples of Australia>.
Other Anthropology Terms
2aboriginal
noun
Definition of ABORIGINAL
1
: aborigine 1
2
often capitalized : aborigine 2
See aboriginal defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ABORIGINAL
1749
Related to ABORIGINAL
Other Anthropology Terms
ABORIGINAL Defined for Kids
aboriginal
adjective ab·orig·i·nal \ˌa-bə-ˈri-jə-nəl\
Definition of ABORIGINAL for Kids
1
: being the first of its kind in a region <aboriginal plants>
2
: of or relating to the original people living in a region
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