naturalization

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the legal process by which a non-citizen acquires citizenship of a country

   Her naturalization was completed after she met the residence and language requirements.

2. 2
   noun

   the establishment of an introduced plant or animal as a self-sustaining part of a new environment

   The naturalization of the species was confirmed when it began reproducing without human help.

3. 3
   noun

   the adaptation of a borrowed word, custom, or idea to the character of another language or culture

   The naturalization of the loanword changed both its spelling and pronunciation.

From French naturalisation, based on naturaliser, 'to admit to citizenship or make natural.' The legal sense treats a foreign-born person as a natural subject; biology and language extended the idea to species or forms that become established in a new setting.

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