born

Definition

past participle of bear; given birth to.

Etymology

From Middle English born, boren, borne, iborne, from Old English boren, ġeboren, from Proto-West Germanic *boran, *gaboran, from Proto-Germanic *buranaz, past participle of Proto-Germanic *beraną (“to bear, carry”), equivalent to bear + -en. Cognate with Saterland Frisian gebooren (“born”), West Frisian berne (“born”), Dutch geboren (“born”), German geboren (“born”), Swedish boren (“born”).

Example Sentences

• "Although not born in the country, she qualifies for nationality through her grandparents."
• "In some monasteries the severity of the clausure is hard to be born."
• "If I had not persuaded Harriet into liking the man, I could have born any thing."