n. Literally, one sprung from the land he inhabits; hence, one of the primitive inhabitants of a country; a member of the race found in a country when first known; an aboriginal inhabitant.n. plural The primitive animals or plants of a country or region, especially in geological time.n. That element or portion of the fauna of a given region which has descended directly from animals which occupied the region at a much earlier period: contrasted with heterochthon.