nativity

nativity · noun¹

1. Latin · derived fromnātīvitās“birth”
2. Middle French · derived fromnativite
3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromnativite
4. Middle English · inherited fromnativite
5. English todaynativity

From Middle English nativite, from Anglo-Norman nativite, Middle French nativite, and their source, Latin nātīvitās (“birth”). By surface analysis, native + -ity. See also naïveté.

Nativity · proper noun²

See nativity.

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. Someone's birth; the place, time and circumstances of a birth.
• from 14th c. Someone's birth considered as a means of astrology; a horoscope associated with a person's birth.
• from 14th c. The birth of Jesus.
• from 12th c. The festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, Christmas Day; the festival celebrating the birth of the Virgin Mary or the birth of Saint John the Baptist.