autochthon Definition
- 1an aboriginal inhabitant of a country, as opposed to an alien or foreigner
- 2a person or thing that is native or indigenous to a particular place
Using autochthon: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "autochthon" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The autochthonous people of Australia are the Aboriginals.
Example
The autochthonous flora and fauna of the region are under threat from invasive species.
Example
The autochthonous culture of the island has been preserved for centuries.
autochthon Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for autochthon
Phrases with autochthon
the rights of indigenous peoples to their land, resources, and cultural heritage
Example
The government recognized the importance of autochthonous rights and worked to protect them.
a language that is native or indigenous to a particular place
Example
The autochthonous language of the region is in danger of disappearing due to lack of use.
autochthonous species
a species that is native or indigenous to a particular place
Example
The autochthonous species of fish in the river are threatened by pollution and overfishing.
Origins of autochthon
from Greek 'autokhthṓn', meaning 'aboriginal, native'
Summary: autochthon in Brief
'Autochthon' [aw-tohk-thon, -tn] refers to an aboriginal inhabitant of a country or a person or thing that is native or indigenous to a particular place. It is often used to describe the people, flora, fauna, and culture of a region, as in 'The autochthonous people of Australia are the Aboriginals.' Other examples include 'autochthonous rights,' which refers to the rights of indigenous peoples to their land, resources, and cultural heritage, and 'autochthonous species,' which refers to a species that is native or indigenous to a particular place.