inhabitant
UK: ɪnˈhæb.ɪ.tənt | US: ɪnˈhæb.ɪ.tənt
n. a person or animal that lives permanently in a particular place
n. (ecology) an organism that resides in a specific habitat
The word "inhabitant" derives from Latin inhabitare ("to dwell in"), formed from in- (in) + habitare (to live, frequentative of habere, "to have/hold"). The suffix -ant (from Latin -antem) denotes an agent noun, turning the verb "inhabit" into "one who inhabits." Over time, the term evolved in Middle English (via Old French inhabitant) to describe permanent residents of a place, reflecting the idea of "holding" a space as a home.
The island's inhabitants rely on fishing for their livelihood.
Urban inhabitants often face higher living costs than rural ones.
The new policy aims to improve healthcare for low-income inhabitants.
Polar bears are the most iconic inhabitants of the Arctic.
Ancient cave paintings reveal the cultural practices of early inhabitants.