indigene

[ in-di-jeen ]

noun

1. a person, animal, or plant that is native to a region; autochthon.

indigene

/ ˈɪndɪdʒən; ˈɪndɪˌdʒiːn /

noun

1. an indigenous person, animal, or thing; native

Word History and Origins

Origin of indigene¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French, from Latin indigena “a native”; indigenous

Example Sentences

Clad in his "khaki short pants, half-sleeved shirt, and pith helmet," he dreamed of Christianizing the indigenes by introducing them to the delights of baseball.

From Salon

“It was their germs, not these imperialists themselves, for all of their brutality and callousness, that were chiefly responsible for sweeping aside indigenes and opening the Neo-Europes to demographic takeover,” Crosby wrote.

From Washington Times

The government was providing them with rations and medicines; NGOs supplied other relief materials, including processed foods and consumer goods hitherto unknown to the indigenes.

From Scientific American

“The vandals took our town many weeks ago and they announced that all the indigenes should come out and say ‘One Nigeria’ and they would give them rice.

From Literature

He had a hook for a left hand, deeply impressive to the indigenes, and iron resolve.

From New York Times

Related Words

• townie