| 释义 |
na·tiv·i·ty
\nəˈtivəd.ē, nāˈ-, -ətē, -i\ noun
(-es)
Etymology: Middle English nativite, from Middle French nativité, from Medieval Latin nativitat-, nativitas birth, birth of Christ, from Late Latin, birth, from Latin nativus native + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at native
1. usually capitalized : the birth or coming into the world of Christ — usually used with the
< his sermons on the Nativity — R.H.Bainton >
2. usually capitalized
a. : an annual church festival commemorating the birth of Christ : christmas 1
b. : an annual festival held in some churches to commemorate the birth of other religious figures (as the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist)
3. : the process, fact, or circumstances (as time, place, or manner) of being born : birth
< the country of one's nativity >
< I have served him from the hour of my nativity — Shakespeare >
4. : a horoscope at or of the time of one's birth
5. : the fact or status of being born a native of a particular place
< the Yankee nativity of many Florida editors — American Guide Series: Florida >
< percentage distribution of the population by nativity for Connecticut — American Guide Series: Connecticut >
6. usually capitalized : a work of art (as a picture or relief sculpture) representing or symbolizing the earliest infancy of Christ |