pple. and a. Forms under BEAR v. [In modern use the connection with bear is no longer felt; the phrase to be born has become virtually an intr. verb. See BEAR v. 43, 44.]
A. Senses of to be born.
1. To be brought forth as offspring, to come into the world. (See BEAR v. 44.)
2. fig. a. Of things: To come into existence (chiefly poet. and rhetorical). b. in Theol. of persons, To be born of God: to become a child of God; To be born again: to undergo the new birth, become or be regenerate.
1382. Wyclif, John iii. 3. But a man schal be born aȝen [1388 borun aȝen, Tindale boren a newe, 1611 borne againe]. Ibid., 1 John iv. 7. Each man that loueth his brother, is born [1388 borun, Tindale and 1611 borne] of God.
1593. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., Pref. i. § 1. All that would but seem to be born of Him.
1857. Heavysege, Saul (1869), 127. Lo, the breaking light is born!
1859. Tennyson, Vivien, 381. Some sudden turn of anger born Of your misfaith.
3. With sbs. or adjs., or complementary phrases, as to be born a poet, an Englishman; to be born blind, lucky, rich, etc., i.e., to be so by the conditions of one’s birth, by capacities implanted at birth, or the like; to be born under a lucky star, with a silver spoon in one’s mouth, proverbial phrases denoting a fortunate destiny, or inherited wealth. To be born to (an inheritance, certain relationships, etc.): to inherit by right of birth; to be destined to from birth. Similarly with infin., as to be born to suffer, to be hanged, etc.
a. 1000. Boeth. Metres, xxvi. 46. Gif he to þæm rice wæs on rihte boren.
1382. Wyclif, Matt. ii. 1. Wher is he, that is borun kyng of Jewis.
1610. Shaks., Temp., I. i. 35. If he be not born to be hanged our case is miserable.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 463. Born to bitter Fate.
1750. Johnson, Rambl., No. 148, ¶ 9. Those who were born to his protection.
4. Of qualities, tastes, aptitudes, To be born in, with (a person): to be implanted at birth.
1710. Nicholls, Comm. Common Prayer, Rrr b. There is a sort of Original Corruption in our Nature … born with us into the World.
B. attrib. uses of the pa. pple.
1. Said of persons:
a. generally = that (ever) was born, as ‘Can any born man deny it?’ Born man (obs.), a native.
c. 1550. Virgilius, in Thoms, E. E. Rom., 22. She was the greatest borne woman that was than there aboute.
1582–8. Hist. James VI. (1801), 147. This Bell was a borne man in Stirline.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 324. Goodliest man of men since born.
b. That has been born of such a quality or condition, as a born orator, a born Englishman; very common in born fool, and the like. Often following the sb., as a poet born.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 7790. Ywain bastard y-bore.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Merch. T., 1790. Thyn owene squier and thy born.
1551–6. Robinson, trans. More’s Utop., 131. Borne aduersaries and enemies one to an other.
1582. N. T. (Rhem.), Mark vii. 26. The woman was a Gentile, a Syrophœnician borne.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 89. I, a poor helpless Girl … shall put on Lady-airs to a Gentlewoman born.
1861. Sat. Rev., XII. 38/1. Lord John and Mr. Walpole both have their weaknesses; but neither of them is a born fool.
1863. Kingsley, Water Bab., vi. She was a lady born.
1878. Morley, Diderot, I. 286. The resource of the born journalist.
c. Qualifying another adj., as in born free (obs. in attrib. use, cf. FREE-BORN), born-blind.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 68. Of thilke bore free kinde.
1517. Torkington, Pilgr. (1884), 52. Our savyor gaff sight to the born blynde man.
1878. Morley, Diderot, I. 85. The born-blind are at first without physical delicacy.
d. Preceded by adv., adj., or sb., forming combs., indicating (a.) time or order of birth, as eldest-, youngest-born, poet. or rhetorical synonyms for ‘eldest,’ ‘youngest’ (often used as quasi-sbs.), last-, latest-, newly born; (b.) place of birth or origin, as cloud-, country-, Danish-, sea-born; (c.) the quality or rank of a person’s parentage, as gently, lowly, nobly born = of gentle, lowly, noble birth; (d.) condition at or by birth, as blind-, free-, poor-born. Cf. BASE, FIRST-, HIGH-, LOW-, NEW-, TRUE-, WELL-BORN, etc.
1382. Wyclif, Luke ii. 7. And sche childide her firste born sone.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., II. xxiv. 149. Gentilely born on both sides.
1684. Dryden, in Roscom., Ess. Transl. Verse, Pref. (1709), 4. Authors nobly born will bear their part.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 142. Better born, and of a nobler Kind.
1783. Ainsworth, Lat. Dict. (Morell), I. Blind born, cæcigenus.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. V. i. 247. Pet son (her last-born?) of the Scarlet Woman.
a. 1861. Mrs. Browning, Lady Gerald. Courtsh. Men call him lowly born.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. iv. 189. The Danish-born Bernard.
2. Of qualities, aptitudes, etc.: That was born in or with a person; innate, inherited.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 243. This … must be born Dignity—born Discretion.
1833. Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), III. 465. It is part of our born-thralldom.
3. Phr. (One’s) born days: one’s lifetime. colloq.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 383. He never was so delighted in his born Days.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, VI. i. 286. You shall rue it all your born days.
