Aboriginal

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˌæb.əˈɹɪdÍ¡Ê’.nÌ©.lÌ©/, /ˌæb.əˈɹɪdÍ¡Ê’.ɪn.lÌ©/

Origin

See Aboriginal.

Full definition of aboriginal

Adjective

1. First according to historical or scientific records; original; indigenous; primitive. First attested in the mid 17th century.

• 1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion, Longman et al. (publishers), page 277:Green in the Church-yard, beautiful and green;
  ...
  And mantled o'er with aboriginal turf
  And everlasting flowers.
1. Living in a land before colonization by the Europeans. First attested in the late 17th century.
2. Alternative capitalization of Aboriginal First attested in the late 18th century.

Synonyms

• (indigenous to a place) native, indigenous, autochthonous, endemic, original, first, earliest, primitive, ancient, primordial, primeval

Derived terms

• aboriginality
• aboriginally

Related terms

• aborigine

Noun

1. An animal or plant native to a region. First attested in the mid 18th century.
• Charles DarwinIt may well be doubted whether this frog is an aboriginal of these islands.
2. Alternative capitalization of Aboriginal First attested in the mid 18th century.

Usage notes

Using uncapitalized aboriginal to refer to people or anything associated with people may cause offence.

In Canada, style manuals recommend against using the noun Aboriginal for a person or people.

See also the usage notes under Aboriginal.