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nationalize

UK[ˈnæʃnəlaɪz]US[ˈnæʃnəlaɪz]
v

to put an industry or a company under the control of the government, usually by the government taking ownership of it.

v

to make something become part of a nation; to make something national in character.

Morpheme Breakdown

nation
al
ize
nation

country

al

adjective suffix

ize

verb-forming suffix

Etymology

the word 'nationalize' is built upon the core concept of 'nation', which originates from the latin 'natio', meaning 'birth' or 'race', referring to a people born into a common identity. the suffix '-al' transforms this noun into the adjective 'national', meaning 'pertaining to a nation'. finally, the productive verb-forming suffix '-ize', with its meaning 'to make or become', is appended. thus, the literal morphemic construction 'to make national' evolved into its specific modern economic sense of bringing an asset under state control, as well as the broader sense of imbuing something with a national character.

Analysis

Structure: nation (country) + al (adjective suffix) + ize (verb-forming suffix) "nation" from latin 'natio' (birth, race, people), serving as the core noun. "al" from latin '-alis' (pertaining to), forming an adjective. "ize" from greek '-izein' via latin '-izare' (to make, to become), forming a verb.

Examples

the government decided to nationalize the country's railway system.

the movement sought to nationalize the cultural heritage, making it a symbol for all citizens.

there is ongoing debate about whether to nationalize the healthcare industry.

nationalize – Meaning, Etymology & Word Origin | OpenEtymology