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autochthon
[ aw-tok-thuhn ]
/ ɔˈtɒk θən /
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noun, plural au·toch·thons, au·toch·tho·nes [aw-tok-thuh-neez]. /ɔˈtɒk θəˌniz/.
an aboriginal inhabitant.
Ecology. one of the indigenous animals or plants of a region.
Geology. a geological formation formed in the region where found.
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Origin of autochthon
First recorded in 1640–50; from Greek autóchthōn “of the land itself,” equivalent to auto- auto-1 + chthṓn “the earth, land, ground”
Words nearby autochthon
autocatharsis, autocephalous, autocephaly, autochanger, autochrome, autochthon, autochthonous, autocidal, autocide, autoclave, autocollimation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use autochthon in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for autochthon
autochthon
/ (ɔːˈtɒkθən, -θɒn) /
noun plural -thons or -thones (-θəˌniːz)
(often plural) one of the earliest known inhabitants of any country; aboriginal
an animal or plant that is native to a particular region
Word Origin for autochthon
C17: from Greek autokhthōn from the earth itself, from auto- + khthōn the earth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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