Naturalize

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈnætʃərəˌlaɪz, ˈnætʃrÉ™-/

Alternative forms

• naturalise

Origin

1585–95, from natural + -ize

"naturalize" in Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.

Full definition of naturalize

Verb

1. To grant citizenship to someone not born a citizen
2. To acclimatize an animal or plant
• HawthorneIts wearer suggested that pears and peaches might yet be naturalized in the New England climate.
3. To make naturalCustom naturalizes labour or study.
4. To limit explanations of a phenomenon to naturalistic ones and exclude supernatural ones
5. (linguistics) To make (a word) a natural part of (the language)English speakers have naturalized the French word "café".

Usage notes

In English, foreign words are typically written in italics until they are naturalized.

Antonyms

• supernaturalize