autochthon noun. [ɔ:'tɒkƟ(ǝ)n, -Ɵǝʊn] Pl. -thons, (senses 1,2) in Latin form -thones [-Ɵǝni:z]. L16.
[Greek autokhthōn indigenous, from AUTO-¹ + khthōn earth, soil.]
1. (Usu. in pl.) Any of the earliest known dwellers in a region; an original inhabitant, an aboriginal. L16.

2. A human being living in his or her place of origin. rare. M17.

3. Geology. An autochthonous rock formation. M20.

■ autochthonal adjective = AUTOCHTHONOUS adjective 1 E19.

■ autoch'thonic adjective = AUTOCHTHONOUS adjective 1 M19.

■ autochthony noun autochthonous condition M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲