Etymology Map
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Indigenous

2 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means originating in a particular place

Where does the word "indigenous" come from? It comes from Late Latin indigena, adopted directly into English (1640s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
indigena
Late Latin · ancient
"native"
'indu', within, plus 'gignere', to beget
2
Stage 2 of 2
indigenous
English · 1640s
"native"
'indigenous peoples' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Indigenous’s story begins in Late Latin: indigena meant “native.” 'indu', within, plus 'gignere', to beget. It reached English by 1640s as indigenous. 'indigenous peoples' dates from the 1900s. Today, indigenous means originating in a particular place.