Autochthonous
/ˌɔː.təˈkθɒn.əs/noun
Of a people, plant, or animal: indigenous to the place where it is found; native rather than introduced.
Did you know?In ancient Greek political myth, being called autochthonous was a powerful status claim: it meant your people were not just residents, but literally sprung from the soil of the homeland.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
autokhthōn
“born from the earth itself; indigenous”
Late Greek
Greek
autokhthonos
“of one’s own land; earth-born”
16th Century
Latin
autochthonus
“native to the place; indigenous”
17th Century
English
autochthonous
“native to the place where found”
Modern English
English
autochthonous
“indigenous; originating in the place where it occurs”