| Word | nativity |
|---|---|
| Date | December 24, 2017 |
| Type | noun |
| Syllables | nuh-TIH-vuh-tee |
| Etymology | Nativity is one of many words born of the Latin verb nasci, which means "to be born." The gestation of the word was a long one. Nasci developed in Latin into nativitas, meaning "birth," which passed through Anglo-French as nativité before entering English in the 14th century. Nativity has many siblings and cousins in our language; other terms of the lineage of nasci include cognate, innate, nascent, native, and renaissance. |
| Examples | "The immutability of one's nativity may be why so many are drawn to astrology—according to a 2009 Harris Poll, a full 26 percent of Americans believe in astrology…." — Elijah Wolfson, The Atlantic, 15 Nov. 2013 "'Peace Child' presents the nativity as a historical event and yet speaks to us today through powerful imagery and challenging words to remind us that the true meaning of Christmas is peace." — Cathy SooHoo, The Chicago Daily Herald, 16 Nov. 2017 |
| Definition | 1 : the process or circumstances of being born; especially, capitalized : the birth of Jesus 2 : a horoscope at or of the time of one's birth 3 : the place of origin |
Tags: wordoftheday::noun
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