naturalize
|nat/u/ral/ize|
🇺🇸
/ˈnætʃərəˌlaɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈnætʃərəlaɪz/
granting citizenship
Etymology
'naturalize' originates from Middle French, specifically the word 'naturaliser,' where 'nature' meant 'nature' and '-aliser' meant 'to make.'
'naturaliser' transformed into the English word 'naturalize' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'to make natural,' but over time it evolved into its current meanings of granting citizenship and adapting to a new environment.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to grant citizenship to someone not born in the country.
The government decided to naturalize the refugees.
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Verb 2
to adapt or acclimate a plant or animal to a new environment.
The botanist worked to naturalize the foreign plant species.
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Last updated: 2025/02/04 07:27