View synonyms for nativity

nativity

[ nuh-tiv-i-tee, ney- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural na·tiv·i·ties.

birth.
birth with reference to place or attendant circumstances:
of Irish nativity.
(initial capital letter) the birth of Christ.
(initial capital letter) the church festival commemorating the birth of Christ; Christmas.
(initial capital letter) a representation of the birth of Christ, as in art.
Astrology. a horoscope of a person's birth.

Nativity

/ nəˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

the birth of Jesus Christ
the feast of Christmas as a commemoration of this
1. an artistic representation of the circumstances of the birth of Christ
2. ( as modifier )
  a Nativity play

nativity

/ nəˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

birth or origin, esp in relation to the circumstances surrounding it

Nativity

The birth of Jesus , described in two of the Gospels ( Matthew and Luke ). When Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph , traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted in a government census, they found that there was no room for them in the local inn. Mary gave birth to Jesus in a common stable and laid him in a manger (a feeding trough for livestock). Christians (see also Christian ) believe that Jesus' birth fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies and was attended by miraculous events, such as a star above Bethlehem that drew local shepherds as well as the Wise Men , or Magi , from a distant land.

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Notes

The Nativity is celebrated at Christmas . We date our present historical era from the birth of Jesus, referring to the years before his birth as b.c. (before Christ ) and the years after his birth as a.d. ( anno Domini, a Latin phrase meaning “in the year of the Lord”).

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Word History and Origins

Origin of nativity¹

before 1150; Middle English nativite < Middle French < Late Latin nātīvitāt- (stem of nātīvitās; native, -ity ); replacing late Old English nativiteth < Old French nativited < Late Latin, as above

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Word History and Origins

Origin of nativity¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin nātīvitas birth: see native

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Example Sentences

Christians around the country will be building crèches and parents will be enthusiastically attending Nativity Plays.

From The Daily Beast

Nativity scenes “acknowledge the very real history and identity of the vast majority of our citizens.”

From The Daily Beast

But we also have a lot of films by black filmmakers coming out soon—the two Mandela films, Black Nativity, and others.

From The Daily Beast

On to the Church of the Nativity, where POTUS could meet with his Christian brothers and sisters for Easter.

From The Daily Beast

Walking through a forest one night, meditating on the Nativity, he looked through the branches of a tree and saw a star.

From The Daily Beast

But sufficient can be discerned for the grasping of the idea, which seems to be a representation of the Nativity.

From Project Gutenberg

I will judge thee in the place wherein thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.

From Project Gutenberg

Here is our nativity, and here have we the natural right to abide and be elevated through the measures of our own efforts.

From Project Gutenberg

Have one of the lieutenants open the secret files for you—it's all under 'Operation Nativity.'

From Project Gutenberg

Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite and thy mother a Hittite.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

nativist natl.

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