nature

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the complex of emotional and intellectual attributes that determine a person's characteristic actions and reactions

   It is my nature to help others.

2. 2
   noun

   the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

   it is the nature of fire to burn

3. 3
   noun

   the natural physical world including plants and animals and landscapes etc.

   they tried to preserve nature as they found it

4. 4
   noun

   a causal agent creating and controlling things in the universe

   the laws of nature

5. 5
   noun

   The way things are, the totality of all things in the physical universe and their order, especially the physical world in contrast to spiritual realms and flora and fauna as distinct from human conventions, art, and technology.

   I oft admire How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit Such disproportions.

6. 6
   noun

   The particular way someone or something is, especially

   Vliss.: ... One touch of nature makes the whole world kin, That all with one consent praise new-borne gaudes, Though they are made and moulded of things past, And goe to dust, that is a little guilt, More laud then guilt ore-dusted.

7. 7
   noun

   The vital functions or strength of someone or something, especially (now dialect) as requiring nourishment or careful maintenance or (medicine) as a force of regeneration without special treatment.

   Any such corrasiue, sharpe or eager medicine... as the said H. shal think his nature is vnable to suffer...

8. 8
   noun

   A requirement or powerful impulse of the body's physical form, especially

   He withdrew from the Company to ease Nature.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥h₁-sḱé-ti Proto-Italic *gnāskōrder. Latin nāscor Proto-Indo-European *-tew-? Proto-Indo-European *-r-eh₂? Latin -tūra Latin nātūralbor. Old French naturebor. Middle English nature English nature From Middle English nature, natur, from Old French nature, from Latin nātūra (“birth, origin, natural constitution or quality”), future participle from perfect passive participle (g)natus (“born”), from deponent verb (g)nasci (“to be born, originate”) + future participle suffix -urus. Displaced native Middle English erd (“character, nat…