nəˈtɪvɪtɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1 (esp.
the Nativity) a the
birth of
Christ. b the
festival of Christ's birth;
Christmas. 2 a
picture of the Nativity. 3 birth. 4 the
horoscope at a person's birth. 5 a the birth of the
Virgin Mary or St
John the
Baptist. b the festival of the nativity of the Virgin (8 Sept.) or St John (24 June). ønativity
play a play usu. performed by
children at Christmas dealing
with the birth of Christ. [ME f. OF nativit÷ f. LL nativitas -tatis f. L (as NATIVE)]