natural

by birth

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noun

naturalization

nach-ruh-luh-ZAY-shun/ˌnætʃrələˈzeɪʃn/

The process by which a foreign-born person becomes a citizen of a country.

Etymology

naturalEnglishby birth

+izEnglishmake, become, or treat in a particular way

+ationFrenchan action, process, or result

Here natural carries its older sense “by birth”: to naturalize someone is to grant a foreigner the rights of a native-born citizen. Naturalization names that change in legal status.

Full entry

Related word entries

naturalization