native American

== English == === Alternative forms === Native American === Pronunciation === === Noun === native American (plural native Americans) (dated) A resident of the United States who is not an immigrant. ==== Usage notes ==== This term can cause confusion, especially when native is capitalized, and the phrase native-born American is preferred in ambiguous contexts. This definition was used by anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant political factions in the 1850s; they called themselves the "Native American Party" before settling on the names "Americans" and "Know-Nothings".