Latin: In old English law, a native; specifically, one born into a condition of servitude; a born serf or villein. Nativa, A niefe or female villein. So called because for the most part bond by nativity. Co. Litt 1226. Nativi conventional. Villeins or bondmen by contract or agreement Nativi de stipite. Villeins or bondmen by birth or stock. Cowell. Nativitas. Villenage ; that state in which men were born slaves. 2 Mon. Angl. 643. Nativo habendo. A writ which lay for a lord when his villein had run away from him. It was directed to the sheriff; and commanded him to apprehend the villein, and to restore him together with his goods to the lord. Brown. Natura appetit perf actum; ita et lex. Nature covets perfection; so does law also. Hob. 144.