naturalize

 
Pronunciation: /ˈnatʃ(ə)rəlʌɪz/
(also naturalise)

verb

[with object]
  • 1admit (a foreigner) to the citizenship of a country: he was born in a foreign country and had never been naturalized (as adjective naturalized) a naturalized US citizen born in Germany
  • [no object] (of a foreigner) be admitted to the citizenship of a country: the opportunity to naturalize as British
  • 2 (usually as adjective naturalized) Biology establish (a plant or animal) so that it lives wild in a region where it is not indigenous: native and naturalized species black mustard has become naturalized in Britain and America
  • (with reference to a cultivated plant) establish or become established in a natural situation: [with object]: this species of crocus naturalizes itself very easily
  • 3alter (an adopted foreign word) so that it conforms more closely to the phonology or orthography of the adopting language: the stoccafisso of Liguria was naturalized in Nice as stocoficada
  • 4regard as or cause to appear natural: although women do more childcare than men, feminists should beware of naturalizing that fact
  • explain (a phenomenon) in a naturalistic way.

Derivatives

naturalization

Pronunciation: /-ˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
noun

Origin:

mid 16th century: from French naturaliser, from Old French natural (see natural)