—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).
Phrases and idioms:
go 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.
Derivatives:
natively adv. nativeness n.
Etymology: ME (earlier as adj.) f. OF natif -ive or L nativus f. nasci nat- be born
Useful english dictionary. 2012.