nature Hear it!

nature Definition

na·ture (nā′c̸hər)

noun

  1. the essential character of a thing; quality or qualities that make something what it is; essence
  2. inborn character; innate disposition; inherent tendencies of a person
  3. the vital functions, forces, and activities of the organs: often used as a euphemism
  4. kind; sort; type things of that nature
  5. any or all of the instincts, desires, appetites, drives, etc. of a person or animal
  6. what is regarded as normal or acceptable behavior
  7. the sum total of all things in time and space; the entire physical universe
  8. the power, force, principle, etc. that seems to regulate the physical universe: often personified, sometimes as Mother Nature
  9. the primitive state of man
  10. a simple way of life close to or in the outdoors
  11. natural scenery, including the plants and animals that are part of it
  12. Archaic affectionate or kindly feeling
  13. Theol. the state of humanity viewed hypothetically as unredeemed by grace

Etymology: OFr < L natura < natus, born, produced: see genus

nature Idioms

by nature

naturally; inherently

in a state of nature

  1. completely naked
  2. not cultivated or tamed; wild
  3. uncivilized

of the nature of

or in the nature of

having the essential character of; like

nature Synonyms

nature

n.

  1. The external universe

    cosmos, creation, macrocosm, world; see universe, earth 1.

  2. The complex of essential qualities

    characteristics, quality, constitution; see character 1, essence 1.

  3. Natural surroundings

    outside world, out-of-doors, scenery, rural setting, natural setting, view, seascape, landscape, the outdoors, external nature, natural scenery, God's hand, recreational facilities, forest primeval, the great outdoors*, the birds and the bees*; see also environment, reality 1.

  4. Natural forces

    natural law, natural order, the forces of nature, underlying cause, cosmic process, physical energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, water power, fission, fusion, hydrogen atom, heavy water, atomic power, the sun, radiation, rays; beta rays, gamma rays; see also energy 3, physics.

  5. Vital forces in an organism

    creation, generation, regeneration, restoration, vivification, animation, energy, quickening, reproductiveness, life force, the nature of the beast*; see also life 1, 2, strength 1.

  6. Kind

    species, sort, type; see kind 2, variety 1, 2.

by nature

inherently, by birth, as a matter of course; see naturally 2.

in a state of nature

uncultivated, not tamed, primitive; see wild 3.

of<strong> <em>or</em> </strong>in the nature of

similar to, having the essential character of, as compared to; see like.

nature Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • understand: Now you say we don't understand the nature of metaphor or this process completely.
  • reflect: Our question concerning ethnic backgrounds revealed a wide variety of cultures, which reflects the diverse nature of the Boro of Camden.
  • explore: Each of them is somehow corrupted by fame, and the film explores the insidious nature of this threat.
  • explain: The membership rules explain the nature of the Premises and ask members to respect and support these.
  • emphasize: This is innovative software which emphasizes the musical nature of aural training.
  • examine: His most famous poem, A Drunk Man looks at a Thistle ( 1926 ), examined the spiritual nature of his home country.

Converse of subject

  • reclaim: By the 1860's industries had left the area leaving behind a trail of derelict remains to be reclaimed by nature.
  • complicate: However, achieving these objectives for all students was complicated by the increasingly heterogeneous nature of the intake to the apprenticeship program.

Adjective modifier

  • human: How great is the frailty of human nature which is ever prone to evil!
  • true: He added: " Whatever the true nature of the under-drawing, it had yet to be made public.
  • exact: However, it not possible to conjecture the exact nature of this interrelation due to a lack of accurate dating between works.
  • sinful: Our sinful, rebellious nature no longer has pride of place.
  • divine: When the church did address the issue, however, it affirmed that God cannot suffer in his divine nature.
  • sensitive: This emphasizes sensitive nature of T'ai Chi push hands.

Modifies a noun

  • reserve: In the autumn the cattle spend time grazing the hay meadows within the Paxton Pits nature reserve.
  • conservation: Much of the data already available has been collected with a view to nature conservation, for example, the Phase 1 Habitat Survey.
  • trail: One in trees near rooms, one on nature trail.
  • lover: Llys Meddyg is a perfect base for walkers, birdwatchers and nature lovers at any time of the year.

Noun used with modifier

journal: They will publish further findings from the Human Genome Project in the scientific journal Nature next week.

Preposition: of

relationship: In each case, the particular circumstances and the nature of the relationship will have to be considered.