native-born
UK[ˈneɪtɪv bɔːn]US[ˈneɪtɪv bɔːrn]
adj
Born in the place or country associated with the word 'native'.
Morpheme Breakdown
native
born
native
from birth
born
brought into life
Etymology
The compound 'native-born' is a tautological reinforcement of the concept of origin by birth. Its first element, 'native', traces back to the Latin verb nasci, meaning 'to be born', which itself originates from the Proto-Indo-European root ǵenh₁-, signifying 'to produce, beget'. The second element, 'born', stems from the Old English beran ('to carry, bear'), derived from the PIE root bʰer- ('to carry'). Thus, the word literally and emphatically means 'born from birth', a construction that evolved to specify unambiguous, non-naturalized citizenship or origin in a particular place.
Analysis
Structure: native (from birth) + born (brought into life)
- native: From Latin nativus ('innate, produced by birth'), from natus, past participle of nasci ('to be born'). Functions as an adjective meaning 'associated by birth'.
- born: From Old English boren, past participle of beran ('to bear, to carry'). Functions as an adjective meaning 'brought into life by birth'.
Examples
She is a native-born citizen of Canada, having been born in Toronto.
The policy grants certain rights only to native-born individuals.
Despite living abroad for years, he remains proud of his native-born status.