Definition of Nature

1. Noun. The essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized. "The true nature of jealousy"

Generic synonyms: Quality
Terms within: Characteristic

2. Noun. A causal agent creating and controlling things in the universe. "Nature has seen to it that men are stronger than women"
Generic synonyms: Causal Agency, Causal Agent, Cause

3. Noun. The natural physical world including plants and animals and landscapes etc.. "They tried to preserve nature as they found it"

4. Noun. The complex of emotional and intellectual attributes that determine a person's characteristic actions and reactions. "It is his nature to help others"
Generic synonyms: Trait
Group relationships: Personality
Specialized synonyms: Animal Nature, Animality, Disposition, Temperament, Complexion, Sociality
Attributes: Good-natured, Ill-natured

5. Noun. A particular type of thing. "Matters of a personal nature"
Generic synonyms: Type

Definition of Nature

1. n. The existing system of things; the world of matter, or of matter and mind; the creation; the universe.

2. v. t. To endow with natural qualities.

Definition of Nature

1. Proper noun. The sum of natural forces reified and considered as a sentient being, will, or principle. ¹

2. Noun. The natural world; consisting of all things unaffected by or predating human technology, production and design. e.g. the natural environment, virgin ground, unmodified species, laws of nature. ¹

3. Noun. The innate characteristics of a thing. What something will tend by its own constitution, to be or do. Distinct from what might be expected or intended. ¹

4. Noun. The summary of everything that has to do with biological, chemical and physical states and events in the physical universe. ¹

5. Verb. (obsolete) To endow with natural qualities. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Nature

1. the essential qualities of a person or thing [n -S] : NATURED [adj]

Medical Definition of Nature

1. 1. The existing system of things; the world of matter, or of matter and mind; the creation; the universe. "But looks through nature up to nature's God." (Pope) "Nature has caprices which art can not imitate." (Macaulay) 2. The personified sum and order of causes and effects; the powers which produce existing phenomena, whether in the total or in detail; the agencies which carry on the processes of creation or of being; often conceived of as a single and separate entity, embodying the total of all finite agencies and forces as disconnected from a creating or ordering intelligence. "I oft admire How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit Such disproportions." (Milton) 3. The established or regular course of things; usual order of events; connection of cause and effect. 4. Conformity to that which is natural, as distinguished from that which is artifical, or forced, or remote from actual experience. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." (Shak) 5. The sum of qualities and attributes which make a person or thing what it is, as distinct from others; native character; inherent or essential qualities or attributes; peculiar constitution or quality of being. "Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem, Their nature also to thy nature join, And be thyself man among men on earth." (Milton) 6. Hence: Kind, sort; character; quality. "A dispute of this nature caused mischief." (Dryden) 7. Physical constitution or existence; the vital powers; the natural life. "My days of nature." "Oppressed nature sleeps." (Shak) 8. Natural affection or reverence. "Have we not seen The murdering son ascend his parent's bed, Through violated nature foce his way?" (Pope) 9. Constitution or quality of mind or character. "A born devil, on whose nature Nurture can never stick." (Shak) "That reverence which is due to a superior nature." (Addison) Good nature, Ill nature. See under Good and Ill. In a state of nature. Naked as when born; nude. In a condition of sin; unregenerate. Untamed; uncvilized. Nature printng, a process of printing from metallic or other plates which have received an impression, as by heavy pressure, of an object such as a leaf, lace, or the like. Nature worship, the worship of the personified powers of nature. To pay the debt of nature, to die. Origin: F, fr. L. Natura, fr. Natus born, produced, p.p. Of nasci to be born. See Nation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Nature

naturalistically
naturalists
naturality
naturalization
naturalizations
naturalize
naturalized
naturalizes
naturalizing
naturall
naturally
naturally occurring
naturalness
naturalnesses
naturals
nature (current term)
nature-nurture issue
nature morte
nature of the beast
nature preserve
nature preserves
nature printing
nature reserve
nature strip
nature strips
nature study
nature worship
natured

Literary usage of Nature

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Or, The Preservation of by Charles Darwin (1882)
"Its bearing on natural selection — The term used in a vii le seme—Geometrical ratio of increase — Rapid increase of naturalised animals and plants — nature ..."

2. Theories of Social Progress: A Critical Study of the Attempts to Formulate by Arthur James Todd (1918)
"What they really mean is this: Your schemes won't work unless human nature changes; but human nature doesn't change — science, philosophy, religion, ..."

3. The Works of Orville Dewey, D.D.: With a Biographical Sketch by Orville Dewey (1883)
"Nay more ; do not all the varying representations of human nature imply their ... And, on the contrary, does not sin in its very nature imply that there are ..."

4. English Poetry: Its Principles and Progress, with Representative by Charles Mills Gayley, Clement Calhoun Young (1904)
"nature AND ART POETRY is one of the arts. Art exists because nature so often is not perfect; and because, even when she does seem to be perfect in form or ..."

5. Essays on the Progress of Nations in Civilization, Productive Industry by Ezra Champion Seaman (1868)
"Importance of understanding the Laws of nature. INASMUCH as the destiny of man and the progress of nations are in a great measure shaped and controlled by ..."

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