nativist
|neɪ-ti-vɪst|
/ˈneɪ.tɪ.vɪst/
favoring natives; belief in innateness
Etymology
'nativist' originates from English formed by combining 'native' with the suffix '-ist'. 'Native' ultimately comes from Latin 'nativus', from 'natus' (past participle of Latin 'nasci'), where 'natus' meant 'born'.
'Native' entered English via Old French and Medieval Latin (from Latin 'nativus'). The agentive suffix '-ist' was added in English to form 'nativist' (first attested in the 19th century, often in political contexts).
Initially related to being 'born' or 'native'; over time 'nativist' came to mean both a political supporter of natives over immigrants and, separately, a theorist who attributes certain abilities to innate factors.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who supports nativism in politics — favoring the interests of native-born inhabitants over immigrants and often opposing immigration.
The nativist movement pushed for stricter immigration laws.
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Noun 2
a person who believes certain skills, ideas, or structures (e.g., aspects of language or cognition) are innate rather than learned — a supporter of nativism in psychology or linguistics.
A nativist argues that aspects of grammar are part of an innate human faculty.
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Adjective 1
relating to or characterized by nativism — either political (anti-immigrant) or theoretical (asserting innateness).
Nativist sentiment rose during the economic downturn.
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Last updated: 2025/10/15 01:31