Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of the Indigenous peoples of Australia: This term refers to a person belonging to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and its surrounding islands prior to European colonization.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The museum exhibit honors the culture and history of the native Australian.
  • Early European settlers often failed to understand the complex social structures of the native Australian.

Advanced Usage

• Historical and Anthropological Context: The term is primarily used in historical, anthropological, or formal contexts to discuss the original inhabitants of Australia in the period of and following European contact. Modern usage often prefers more specific terms like "Aboriginal Australian" or "Indigenous Australian."
  • The study focused on the languages spoken by the native Australian prior to 1788.

Variants and Related Words

• Aborigine (n): A term historically used synonymously with "native Australian," though its usage is now often considered outdated or offensive in many contexts.
• Indigenous Australian (n): A contemporary, inclusive term encompassing both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• First Australians (n): A term emphasizing the primary and original occupancy of the continent.

Synonyms

• Aboriginal person: A person belonging to the Indigenous peoples of mainland Australia.
• Indigenous inhabitant: An original resident of a land.

Important Notes on Usage

• The term "native Australian" is a fixed noun phrase. The word "native" here is an adjective used attributively within the compound term. When used alone, "native" has broader meanings (e.g., a person born in a specified place, indigenous plants/animals).
• Contemporary and respectful discourse typically uses "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," "Indigenous Australians," or, where appropriate, the names of specific nations or language groups (e.g., Noongar, Arrernte).
• The provided reference definition uses the phrasing "a race of people," which reflects outdated anthropological classifications. Modern understanding recognizes these groups as comprising many distinct nations and cultures.

Noun

1. a dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived