— naturalization , n. — naturalizer , n.
/nach"euhr euh luyz', nach"reuh-/ , v. , naturalized, naturalizing .
v.t.
1. to confer upon (an alien) the rights and privileges of a citizen.
2. to introduce (organisms) into a region and cause them to flourish as if native.
3. to introduce or adopt (foreign practices, words, etc.) into a country or into general use: to naturalize a French phrase.
4. to bring into conformity with nature.
5. to regard or explain as natural rather than supernatural: to naturalize miracles.
6. to adapt or accustom to a place or to new surroundings.
v.i.
7. to become naturalized.
8. to adapt as if native to a new environment, set of circumstances, etc.
9. to study or carry on research in natural history.
Also, esp. Brit., naturalise .
[ 1585-95; NATURAL + -IZE ]