A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

Native Americans • native-born Americans
Native Americans —
1
. (also: first Americans) American Indi-
ans: We have a new section for you featuring posters of Native
Americans and Native American Artwork. 2. (hist.) members
of a minor American political group having a brief existence
in the early 
1
9th century: The Native Americans were pledged
not to vote for any foreigner for office.
native-born Americans —persons associated with America
by birth: The word “Creole” is used in Louisiana to express a
native-born American, whether black or white, descended
from old world parents.
natural birth • natural born
natural birth —childbirth in which psychological condition-
ing replaces the use of anesthesia, etc.: This definition [normal
birth] may also be equated with natural birth — birth without
interference.
natural born —
1
. said of a child actually begotten by one in
contrast to adopted: Natural born children of employees are
eligible for benefits if they are born before the employee retires.
2. said of a person with a natural talent or aptitude for smth.:
You have the ability to motivate others to do their best. You
are a natural born teacher and mentor. 3. said of a person hav-
ing the legal status of citizen by birth: A person born to a
mother who was a natural-born subject of the United King-
dom had the rights of a natural-born subject.
natural man • natural person
natural man —
1
. an uncultivated, uncivilized man: Let us
not forget that “Typee” is a glorification of the noble savage,
uncorrupted by the vices of civilization, and that Melville
looked upon the natural man as good. 2. a man having a usual
or normal character; smb. who is not exceptional in any way:
My friend George is the natural man drawn to pubs and bar-
maids. 3. a man who is especially apt or suited to do smth.:
Philip was the natural man to whom to turn, for he came from
Bethsaida and he would have local knowledge.
natural person—
1
. (legal) a human being as distinguished in
law from an artificial or juristic person: Associations for car-
rying on the business of banking may be formed by any num-
ber of natural persons. 2. a man or woman who is especially
apt or suited to do smth.: As director of the university’s archae-
ological activities, she was the natural person to compile the
volumes.