Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Native?

\Na"tive\, a. [F. natif, L. nativus, fr. nasci, p. p. natus. See {Nation}, and cf. {Na["i]ve}, {Nelf} a serf.] 1. Arising by birth; having an origin; born. [Obs.] Anaximander's opinion is, that the gods are native, rising and vanishing again in long periods of times. --Cudworth. 2. Of or pertaining to one's birth; natal; belonging to the place or the circumstances in which one is born; -- opposed to {foreign}; as, native land, language, color, etc. 3. Born in the region in which one lives; as, a native inhabitant, race; grown or originating in the region where used or sold; not foreign or imported; as, native oysters, or strawberries. 4. Original; constituting the original substance of anything; as, native dust. --Milton. 5. Conferred by birth; derived from origin; born with one; inherent; inborn; not acquired; as, native genius, cheerfulness, simplicity, rights, etc. Courage is native to you. --Jowett (Thucyd. ). 6. Naturally related; cognate; connected (with). [R.] the head is not more native to the heart, . . . Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father. --Shak. 7. (Min.) (a) Found in nature uncombined with other elements; as, native silver. (b) Found in nature; not artificial; as native sodium chloride. {Native American party}. See under {American}, a. {Native bear} (Zo["o]l.), the koala. {Native bread} (Bot.), a large underground fungus, of Australia ({Mylitta australis}), somewhat resembling a truffle, but much larger. {Native devil}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Tasmanian devil}, under {Devil}. {Native hen} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian rail ({Tribonyx Mortierii}). {Native pheasant}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Leipoa}. {Native rabbit} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian marsupial ({Perameles lagotis}) resembling a rabbit in size and form. {Native sloth} (Zo["o]l.), the koala. {Native thrush} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian singing bird ({Pachycephala olivacea}); -- called also {thickhead}. {Native turkey} (Zo["o]l.), the Australian bustard ({Choriotis australis}); -- called also {bebilya}. Syn: Natural; natal; original; congential. Usage: {Native}, {Natural}, {Natal}. natural refers to the nature of a thing, or that which springs therefrom; native, to one's birth or origin; as, a native country, language, etc.; natal, to the circumstances of one's birth; as, a natal day, or star. Native talent is that which is inborn; natural talent is that which springs from the structure of the mind. Native eloquence is the result of strong innate emotion; natural eloquence is opposed to that which is studied or artifical.
\Na"tive\, n. 1. One who, or that which, is born in a place or country referred to; a denizen by birth; an animal, a fruit, or vegetable, produced in a certain region; as, a native of France. 2. (Stock Breeding) Any of the live stock found in a region, as distinguished from such as belong to pure and distinct imported breeds. [U.S.]