[Windflier]

Bouvier's Law Dictionary 1928

Bad definition, in my opinion. Different words mean different things, else they wouldn't be different.

Example:

animal; a dog.

dog; an animal.

This is circular, and neither choice provides a clear distinction between the two words being defined.

A Native Born Citizen is not a Natural Born Citizen.

[AnalogReigns]

The Bouvier definition is a LEGAL definition--therefore it reflects how a term has been used in law, whether or not it's a "good" definition or not, whether different words or not, all that is irrelevant, to its technical usage in law.

As the definition itself posits explaining LEGAL USAGE:

"There is no distinction between native born as used in the French Extradition treaty and natural born as used in the extradition act."

All of this is silly anyway--as the Supremes (or any other legal authority) will not allow the "natural born" of Obama issue to be touched with a ten foot pole--due to the horrendous implications, (which could include, false laws/treaties, terrible riots and even war, I think--coming out of certain communities.)

Just 2 and a half more years.... 1/20/2013!!!

[Red Steel]

Read this carefully. From Bouvier's sixth edition, 1856:

[El Gato]

Different words mean different things, else they wouldn't be different.

Not always. English is a very bastardized language, and one of the harder ones to learn as well. But consider:

Dog, Canine, pooch.

Swine, hog, pig.

A Native Born Citizen is not a Natural Born Citizen.

Not in modern usage, but in 1928 and for that matter 1787, they were the same.