Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia: A dark-skinned person belonging to the race of people inhabiting Australia prior to European colonization.
   • An indigenous inhabitant of a place: A person, animal, or plant that is native to a particular region from the earliest times.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The museum exhibit detailed the culture of the Australian aborigine.
  • As an aborigine of this island, she possesses deep knowledge of its traditional plants.

Advanced Usage

• "Aborigine" (capitalized): When referring specifically to the Indigenous peoples of Australia, the term is often capitalized as "Aborigine" or used in the plural "Aborigines."
  • The rights of Aborigines were formally recognized in the 1967 referendum.

Variants and Related Words

• Aboriginal (adj): Relating to the original inhabitants of a place.
  • Aboriginal art is renowned for its intricate dot paintings.
• Aboriginal (noun): An aboriginal person (often used for Australian Indigenous peoples, especially in the plural form 'Aboriginals').
  • The Aboriginals have a profound spiritual connection to the land.

Synonyms

• Native: A person born in a specified place or associated with a place by birth.
• Indigenous person: A person originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.

Notes on Usage

• The term "Aborigine" is considered outdated and potentially offensive by some when used as a general noun. More respectful and specific terms are often preferred, such as "Aboriginal person," "Indigenous Australian," or the name of a specific nation or language group (e.g., "Arrernte person").
• In general contexts for indigenous peoples worldwide, terms like "indigenous person," "native," or "first peoples" are typically used instead of "aborigine."

Noun

1. a dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived
2. an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
   • the art of the natives of the northwest coast
   • the Canadian government scrapped plans to tax the grants to aboriginal college students