naturalized

UK: ˈnætʃrəlaɪzd | US: ˈnætʃrəlaɪzd

Definition
  1. adj. 1. (of a foreigner) admitted to the citizenship of a country.

  2. vt. 2. to confer citizenship upon (a foreigner).

  3. vt. 3. to adapt (a plant or animal) to a new environment.

Structure
natural <relating to nature>ize <to make>ed <past participle>
Etymology

The word "naturalized" combines "natural," from Latin natura (birth, nature), with the suffix "-ize," derived from Greek -izein (to make or become), and the past participle "-ed." Originally, "natural" referred to innate qualities, but by the 16th century, it expanded to mean "conforming to nature." The suffix "-ize" transformed it into a verb meaning "to make natural," and by the 18th century, "naturalize" specifically denoted granting citizenship—a metaphorical extension of "making someone native to a new land." The "-ed" form later solidified its adjectival use.

Examples
  1. After living in Canada for a decade, she became a naturalized citizen.

  2. The government naturalized thousands of immigrants last year.

  3. This plant species was naturalized in Europe from South America.

  4. He holds a naturalized passport despite being born abroad.

  5. The bird population has naturalized well in the urban environment.