Word Study
born (root: bear)
CIDE DICTIONARY
- Brought forth, as an animal; brought into life; introduced by birth. [1913 Webster]"No one could be born into slavery in Mexico." [1913 Webster]
- Having from birth a certain character; by or from birth; by nature; innate; as, a born liar. W. D. Howells. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
born, adj.
1 existing as a result of birth.
2 a being such or likely to become such by natural ability or quality (a born leader). b (usu. foll. by to + infin.) having a specified destiny or prospect (born lucky; born to be king; born to lead men).
3 (in comb.) of a certain status by birth (French-born; well-born).
1 existing as a result of birth.
2 a being such or likely to become such by natural ability or quality (a born leader). b (usu. foll. by to + infin.) having a specified destiny or prospect (born lucky; born to be king; born to lead men).
3 (in comb.) of a certain status by birth (French-born; well-born).
Idiom
born-again (attrib.) converted (esp. to fundamentalist Christianity). born and bred by birth and upbringing. in all one's born days colloq. in one's life so far. not born yesterday colloq. not stupid; shrewd.
Etymology
past part. of BEAR(1)
THESAURUS
born
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