1660s, "first, earliest, existing from the beginning," especially in reference to inhabitants of lands colonized by Europeans, from aborigines (see aborigine) + -al (1). The specific Australian sense is attested from 1820. The noun meaning "an original inhabitant, an autochthon" is attested from 1760. Related: Aboriginally; aboriginality (1848); aboriginalism (1859).
the aboriginal peoples of Australia
aboriginal forests
the Canadian government scrapped plans to tax the grants to aboriginal college students
abolitionism
abolitionist
abominable
abominate
abomination
aboriginal
aborigine
aborning
abort
abortifacient
abortion