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Definitions for: Nature
[n] the complex of emotional and intellectual attributes that determine a person's characteristic actions and reactions; "it is his nature to help others"
[n] the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized; "it is the nature of fire to burn"; "the true nature of jealousy"
[n] a particular type of thing; "problems of this type are very difficult to solve"; "he's interested in trains and things of that nature"; "matters of a personal nature"
[n] the natural physical world including plants and animals and landscapes etc.; "they tried to preserve nature as they found it"
[n] a causal agent creating and controlling things in the universe; "the laws of nature"; "nature has seen to it that men are stronger than women"
Webster (1913) Definition: Na"ture (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. natura, fr. natus
born, produced, p. p. of nasci to be born. See Nation.]
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.'' --Shak.
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.
(a) Naked as when born; nude.
(b) In a condition of sin; unregenerate.
(c) 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.
Na"ture, v. t.
To endow with natural qualities. [Obs.]
He [God] which natureth every kind. --Gower.
See Also: animal nature, animality, causal agency, causal agent, cause, characteristic, complexion, cosmos, creation, disposition, existence, macrocosm, personality, quality, sociality, temperament, trait, type, universe, world
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