The word indigenous most nearly means a. native b. foreign c. transplanted d. introduced
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is a. native.
Explanation:
The word “indigenous” refers to something that is native or naturally occurring in a specific place or environment. It is often used to describe species of plants, animals, or people that originate in a particular region, as opposed to being introduced or brought from elsewhere. When something is described as “indigenous,” it means it is an inherent part of that area or culture, not foreign or transplanted.
For example, indigenous plants are species that naturally grow in a specific location without human intervention. Similarly, indigenous people refer to the original inhabitants of a region who have deep cultural and historical ties to the land.
Here’s a breakdown of the other options:
- b. foreign: This refers to something coming from another place or country, the opposite of indigenous. Foreign items are not native to the place in question.
- c. transplanted: This means something that has been moved or introduced from another area. It suggests a change in location, not something that naturally originates from the place.
- d. introduced: Similar to transplanted, this refers to something that has been brought into a place by human activity, often for cultivation, trade, or other purposes. It’s not a native species or concept.
The word indigenous has broad use in contexts like ecology, anthropology, and cultural studies, where it emphasizes the connection between a particular community or species and its original environment. In many cases, indigenous cultures are those that have maintained their traditional ways of life and knowledge systems, despite external influences over time.
Thus, “native” is the best synonym for indigenous because both imply origin in a specific place or environment.