Nation
/ˈneɪ.ʃən/noun
A large group of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.
Did you know?The term 'nation' comes from a root meaning 'to be born,' connecting it to notions of origin and identity, almost like a collective rebirth through culture.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nāsci
“to be born, to arise.”
Latin
Latin
natio
“a birth, race, stock, or people.”
Old French
Old French
nacion
“a people, a nation.”
Middle English
Middle English
nacioun
“a group of people of common descent.”
Modern English
English
nation
“a politically organized body of people under a single government.”