Aborigines

[ab-uh-rij-uh-neez]

plural noun

1. the plural form of Aborigine.

aborigines

1. The earliest known inhabitants of a region. The term is most often associated with the native hunting and gathering population of Australia, who preceded the arrival of white settlers. (See hunting and gathering societies.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of aborigines¹

First recorded in 1540–50; Aborigine ( def. ) + -s ³ ( def. ); Aborigine ( def. )

Example Sentences

Whites were smart and industrious, Blacks physically strong but lazy, and some people were barely distinguishable from animals; as late as 1902 it was debated in parliament in Australia whether aborigines were human beings.

From Scientific American

But after opening the island to Japanese settlers, the government forced the Ainu, who it referred to as “former aborigines”, to assimilate.

From The Guardian

It is well known that when America was discovered maize was widely cultivated by the aborigines, but the wild source of the plant has remained obscure.

From Nature

After opening it to Japanese settlers, it forced the Ainu, which it labeled “former aborigines,” to assimilate.

From Reuters

Why should this Pope treat Canadian aborigines with any more respect?

From New York Times