Translate naturalize | into French | into German | into Italian Definition of naturalize
verb
[with object] 1 (often
be/become naturalized)
admit (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 U.S. citizen born in Germany [no object] (of a foreigner) be admitted to the citizenship of a country:the opportunity to naturalize as American alter (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
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 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
3regard as or cause to appear natural:although women do more child care than men, feminists should beware of naturalizing that fact explain (a phenomenon) in a naturalistic way.
