autochthon

[ aw-tok-thuhn ]

noun

, plural au·toch·thons, au·toch·tho·nes [aw-, tok, -th, uh, -neez].

1. an aboriginal inhabitant.
2. Ecology. one of the indigenous animals or plants of a region.
3. Geology. a geological formation formed in the region where found.

autochthon

/ -θɒn; ɔːˈtɒkθən /

noun

1. often plural one of the earliest known inhabitants of any country; aboriginal
2. an animal or plant that is native to a particular region

Word History and Origins

Origin of autochthon¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Greek autóchthōn “of the land itself,” equivalent to auto- auto- ¹ + chthṓn “the earth, land, ground”

Word History and Origins

Origin of autochthon¹

C17: from Greek autokhthōn from the earth itself, from auto- + khthōn the earth

Example Sentences

Tchekoff is a true product of Russian literature, an autochthon plant, nourished by his natal sap.

From Project Gutenberg

He is earth-born, autochthon, and holds possession by descent.

From Project Gutenberg

To the elder of the third pair of twins he gave the name Mneseus, and Autochthon to the one who followed him.

From Project Gutenberg

There I called them (p. 89) "Autochthon-morphological" and "adaptive-morphological characters."

From Project Gutenberg

Autochthon, aw-tok′thon, n. one of the primitive inhabitants of a country: an aboriginal:—pl.

From Project Gutenberg