ˈneɪtɪv n. & adj. --n. 1 a (usu. foll. by of) a
person born in a specified
place, or
whose parents are domiciled in
that place at
the time of the
birth (a native of Bristol). b a
local inhabitant. 2
often offens. a a
member of a
non-White indigenous people, as regarded by the
colonial settlers. b S.Afr. a
Black person. 3 (usu. foll. by of) an indigenous
animal or
plant. 4 an
oyster reared in
British waters,
esp. in
artificial beds (a Whitstable native). 5
Austral. a
White person born in Australia. --adj. 1 (usu. foll. by to) belonging to a person or
thing by
nature;
inherent;
innate (spoke
with the
facility native to him). 2 of one's birth or
birthplace (native
dress; native country). 3 belonging to
one by
right of birth. 4 (usu. foll. by to) belonging to a specified place (the
anteater is native to S. America). 5 a (esp. of a non-European) indigenous; born in a place. b of the natives of a place (native customs). 6
unadorned;
simple;
artless. 7 Geol. (of
metal etc.) found in a
pure or uncombined
state. 8 Austral. & NZ resembling an animal or plant
familiar elsewhere (native rabbit). øgo native (of a settler)
adopt the local
way of
life, esp. in a
non-European country. native bear Austral. & NZ =
KOALA. native rock rock in
its original place. øønatively adv. nativeness n. [ME (earlier as adj.) f. OF natif
-ive or L nativus f. nasci natbe born]
