2. (Philos.)
Defn: The doctrine of innate ideas, or that the mind possesses forms of thought independent of sensation.
NATIVIST
Na"tiv*ist, n.
Defn: An advocate of nativism.
NATIVISTIC
Na`tiv*is"tic, a.
Defn: Relating to nativism.
NATIVITY
Na*tiv"i*ty, n.; pl. Nativies. Etym: [F. nativité, L. nativitas. See
Native, and cf. NaïvetÉ.]
1. The coming into life or into the world; birth; also, the circumstances attending birth, as time, place, manner, etc. Chaucer. I have served him from the hour of my nativity. Shak. Thou hast left … the land of thy nativity. Ruth ii. 11. These in their dark nativity the deep Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame. Milton.
2. (Fine Arts)
Defn: A picture representing or symbolizing the early infancy of Christ. The simplest form is the babe in a rude cradle, and the heads of an ox and an ass to express the stable in which he was born.