- Native
- Native Na"tive (n[=a]"t[i^]v), a. [F. natif, L. nativus, fr.
nasci, p. p. natus. See {Nation}, and cf. {Na["i]ve}, {Neif}
a serf.]
1. Arising by birth; having an origin; born. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Anaximander's opinion is, that the gods are native, rising and vanishing again in long periods of times. --Cudworth. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
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. In the latter sense, synonymous with {domestic}. [1913 Webster +PJC]
4. Original; constituting the original substance of anything; as, native dust. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
5. Conferred by birth; derived from origin; born with one; inherent; inborn; not acquired; as, native genius, cheerfulness, wit, simplicity, rights, intelligence, etc. Having the same meaning as {congenital}, but typically used for positive qualities, whereas {congenital} may be used for negative qualities. See also {congenital} [1913 Webster +PJC]
Courage is native to you. --Jowett (Thucyd.). [1913 Webster]
6. Naturally related; cognate; connected (with). [R.] [1913 Webster]
the head is not more native to the heart, . . . Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
7. (Min.) (a) Found in nature uncombined with other elements; as, native silver, copper, gold. (b) Found in nature; not artificial; as native sodium chloride. [1913 Webster]
{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}. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Natural; natal; original; congenital.
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 artificial. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
