adjective
natal
NAY-tul/ˈneɪtl/
Relating to birth.
The newborn's first moments in the delivery room form a natal scene.
Etymology
Natal describes what pertains to being born. The same Latin birth adjective also underlies Noel, where the birth in question is specifically Christ’s.
In context
See, we are all born as human beings with a natal connection to water, but somewhere along the way, we lost that connection,
This is the natal den where she gave birth.
More examples
- The dentist checks the baby's natal teeth.
- His natal chart shows the planets' positions at his birth.
- These birds return to their natal colony to breed.
Forms
prenatal adjective — Relating to the period before birth.
postnatal adjective — Relating to the period after birth.
Similar words
- native
- Usually describes birthplace or origin, not birth itself.
- congenital
- Describes conditions present at birth, rather than birth generally.