nature
Nature is defined as the natural Earth and the things on it, or the essence of a person or thing.
(noun)- The trees, forests, birds and animals are all an example of nature.
- If someone is inherently evil, this is an example of a person who has an evil nature.
See nature in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- the essential character of a thing; quality or qualities that make something what it is; essence
- inborn character; innate disposition; inherent tendencies of a person
- the vital functions, forces, and activities of the organs: often used as a euphemism
- kind; sort; type: things of that nature
- any or all of the instincts, desires, appetites, drives, etc. of a person or animal
- what is regarded as normal or acceptable behavior
- the sum total of all things in time and space; the entire physical universe
- the power, force, principle, etc. that seems to regulate the physical universe: often personified, sometimes as Mother Nature
- the primitive state of man
- a simple way of life close to or in the outdoors
- natural scenery, including the plants and animals that are part of it
- Archaic affectionate or kindly feeling
- Theol. the state of humanity viewed hypothetically as unredeemed by grace
Origin: OFr < L natura < natus, born, produced: see genus
See nature in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- The material world and its phenomena.
- The forces and processes that produce and control all the phenomena of the material world: the laws of nature.
- The world of living things and the outdoors: the beauties of nature.
- A primitive state of existence, untouched and uninfluenced by civilization or artificiality: couldn't tolerate city life anymore and went back to nature.
- Theology Humankind's natural state as distinguished from the state of grace.
- A kind or sort: confidences of a personal nature.
- The essential characteristics and qualities of a person or thing: “She was only strong and sweet and in her nature when she was really deep in trouble” (Gertrude Stein).
- The fundamental character or disposition of a person; temperament: “Strange natures made a brotherhood of ill” (Percy Bysshe Shelley).
- The natural or real aspect of a person, place, or thing. See Synonyms at disposition.
- The processes and functions of the body.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English, essential properties of a thing
Origin: , from Old French
Origin: , from Latin nātūra
Origin: , from nātus
Origin: , past participle of nāscī, to be born; see genə- in Indo-European roots
.See nature in Ologies
Nature
See also earth; environment
etiology.
ambrology
the study of the sources and formation of amber. —ambrologic, ambrological, adj.
anthropopsychism
the assignment of a humanlike soul to nature. — anthropopsychic, adj.
azoology
the study of inanimate nature.
chemism
the quality of chemical activities, properties, or relationships.
a person who advocates the conservation of the natural resources of a country or region. —conservational, adj.
the science of the causes of natural phenomena. —etiologic, aetiologic, etiological, aetiological, adj.
physiolatry
the worship of nature. —physiolater, n. —physiolatrous, adj.
physiosophy
the body of wisdom about nature.
physis
1. the principle or concept of growth and change in nature.
2. nature considered as the source of growth and change.
3. something that grows or develops.
physitheism
1. the assignment of a physical form to a god.
2. the deification and worship of natural phenomena; physiolatry.
physiurgic
produced by natural rather than divine or human forces.
thaumatography
a dissertation on the wonders of nature. —thaumatographic, adj.
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