a. [ F. natif, L. nativus, fr. nasci, p. p. natus. See Nation, and cf. Naïve, Neif a serf. ] 1. Arising by birth; having an origin; born. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Anaximander's opinion is, that the gods are native, rising and vanishing again in long periods of times. Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to one's birth; natal; belonging to the place or the circumstances in which one is born; -- opposed to foreign; as, native land, language, color, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Born in the region in which one lives; as, a native inhabitant, race; grown or originating in the region where used or sold; not foreign or imported; as, native oysters, or strawberries. In the latter sense, synonymous with domestic. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

4. Original; constituting the original substance of anything; as, native dust. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Conferred by birth; derived from origin; born with one; inherent; inborn; not acquired; as, native genius, cheerfulness, wit, simplicity, rights, intelligence, etc. Having the same meaning as congenital, but typically used for positive qualities, whereas congenital may be used for negative qualities. See also congenital [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Courage is native to you. Jowett (Thucyd.). [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Naturally related; cognate; connected (with). [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

the head is not more native to the heart, . . .
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Min.) (a) Found in nature uncombined with other elements; as, native silver, copper, gold. (b) Found in nature; not artificial; as native sodium chloride. [ 1913 Webster ]

Native American party. See under American, a. --
Native bear (Zool.), the koala. --
Native bread (Bot.), a large underground fungus, of Australia (Mylitta australis), somewhat resembling a truffle, but much larger. --
Native devil. (Zool.) Same as Tasmanian devil, under Devil. --
Native hen (Zool.), an Australian rail (Tribonyx Mortierii). --
Native pheasant. (Zool.) See Leipoa. --
Native rabbit (Zool.), an Australian marsupial (Perameles lagotis) resembling a rabbit in size and form. --
Native sloth (Zool.), the koala. --
Native thrush (Zool.), an Australian singing bird (Pachycephala olivacea); -- called also thickhead. --
Native turkey (Zool.), the Australian bustard (Choriotis australis); -- called also bebilya. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Natural; natal; original; congenital. -- Native, Natural, Natal. natural refers to the nature of a thing, or that which springs therefrom; native, to one's birth or origin; as, a native country, language, etc.; natal, to the circumstances of one's birth; as, a natal day, or star. Native talent is that which is inborn; natural talent is that which springs from the structure of the mind. Native eloquence is the result of strong innate emotion; natural eloquence is opposed to that which is studied or artificial. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, is born in a place or country referred to; a denizen by birth; an animal, a fruit, or vegetable, produced in a certain region; as, a native of France; the natives are restless. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. (Stock Breeding) Any of the live stock found in a region, as distinguished from such as belong to pure and distinct imported breeds. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By natural or original condition; naturally; originally. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being native. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A sort of steel which has been found where a burning coal seam had reduced and carbonized adjacent iron ore. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]