indigenous

[ in-dij-uh-nuhs ]
/ ɪnˈdɪdʒ ə nəs /

adjective

originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often followed by to): the plants indigenous to Canada; the indigenous peoples of southern Africa.
innate; inherent; natural (usually followed by to): feelings indigenous to human beings.

Origin of indigenous

1640–50; < Latin indigen(a) native, original inhabitant ( indi-, by-form of in- in-2 (cf. indagate) + -gena, derivative from base of gignere to bring into being; cf. genital, genitor) + -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM indigenous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH indigenous

endogenous indigenous

Example sentences from the Web for indigenous

British Dictionary definitions for indigenous

indigenous
/ (ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs) /

adjective (when postpositive, foll by to)

originating or occurring naturally (in a country, region, etc); native
innate (to); inherent (in)

Derived forms of indigenous

indigenously, adverb indigenousness or indigenity (ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛnɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for indigenous

C17: from Latin indigenus, from indigena indigene, from indi- in + gignere to beget

Scientific definitions for indigenous

indigenous
[ ĭn-dĭjə-nəs ]

Native to a particular region or environment but occurring naturally in other places as well. The American black bear is indigenous to many different parts of North America. Compare alien endemic.