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1. Dictionary

   naturalize

   /ˈnatʃ(ə)rəlʌɪz/

   verb

   • 1. admit (a foreigner) to the citizenship of a country: "he was born in a foreign country and had never been naturalized" Similar grant citizenship tomake a citizenendow with the rights of citizenshipconfer citizenship ongive a passport toenfranchiserare:endenizendenizencitizenize
   • ▪ (of a foreigner) be admitted to the citizenship of a country: "the opportunity to naturalize as British" Similar assimilateabsorbincorporateadoptaccepttake inhomogenizerare:acculturate
   • 2. establish (a plant or animal) so that it lives wild in a region where it is not indigenous: "the species was naturalized in Britain as early as 1620"
   • ▪ (with reference to a cultivated plant) establish or become established in a natural situation: "this species of crocus naturalizes itself very easily" Similar establishintroduceacclimatizedomesticateacclimate
   • 3. alter (an adopted foreign word) so that it conforms more closely to the phonology or orthography of the adopting language: "the"
   • 4. regard as or cause to appear natural: "globalization has been naturalized as the inevitable pathway to economic prosperity and success" Similar assimilateabsorbincorporateadoptaccepttake inhomogenizerare:acculturate
   • ▪ explain (a phenomenon) in a naturalistic way.

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

   Scrabble Points: 19

   • N

     1

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • U

     1

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • Z

     10

   • E

     1

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