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nation

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nation
nation S3 W2 /ˈneɪʃən/ noun [countable]
 Date: 1200-1300
 Language: French
 Origin: Latin natio, from natus, past participle of nasci 'to be born'
1. a country, considered especially in relation to its people and its social or economic structure:
    the President’s radio broadcast to the nation
    an independent nation
    the world’s leading industrial nations
2. a large group of people of the same race and language:
    the Cherokee nation
     
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
    a great/powerful nation The United States is the most powerful nation in the world.
    an independent/sovereign nation (=one that rules itself, rather than being run by another country) Countries that were once colonies of Britain are now independent nations.
    an industrial/industrialized nation The rich industrial nations dominate the global economy.
    a developed/advanced nation (=one that has many industries) In the developed nations, many students go on to university.
    a developing/emerging nation (=one that is starting to have more industry) Food shortages are often a problem in developing nations.
    a rich/wealthy nation Most tourists come from the wealthy nations of the world.
    a poor nation The high cost of medicines in poor nations prevents many citizens from receiving health care.
■ verbs
    lead a nation He led the nation out of a depression and into a period of growth and prosperity.
    face a nation There are many problems facing our nation.
    unite a nation (=make everyone in a country agree) The crisis seemed to unite the nation.
    divide a nation (=make people in a nation disagree) The war has divided the nation.
    shock a nation (=make everyone in a nation feel shocked) This terrible crime has shocked the whole nation.


Nation
Nation, Carrie /ˈkæri/
(1846–1911) a US woman who strongly believed that people should not drink alcohol. She tried to stop them by going into bars and damaging furniture and bottles with a hatchet.