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Noun: naturalization  'na-ch(u-)ru-lu'zey-shun [N. Amer], 'na-ch(u-)ru-lI'zey-shun [Brit]
  1. The quality of being brought into conformity with nature
    - naturalisation [Brit]
  2. (law) the proceeding whereby a foreigner is granted citizenship
    - naturalisation [Brit]
  3. The introduction of animals or plants to places where they flourish but are not indigenous
    - naturalisation [Brit]
  4. Changing the pronunciation of a borrowed word to agree with the borrowers' phonology
    "the naturalization in English of many Italian words";
    - naturalisation [Brit]

Derived forms: naturalizations

Type of: adoption, borrowing, creation, debut, entry, first appearance, foundation, founding, initiation, innovation, instauration, institution, introduction, launching, legal proceeding, naturalness, origination, proceeding, proceedings, unveiling

Encyclopedia: Naturalization