n.
- the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, and the landscape, as opposed to humans or human creations.
▸the physical force that is regarded as causing and regulating these phenomena.
- the basic or inherent features, qualities, or character of a person or thing.
▸inborn or hereditary characteristics as an influence on or determinant of personality. Often contrasted with nurture.
▸archaic a person of a specified character.
Phrase
- one's better nature
one's capacity for tolerance, generosity, or sympathy. - in the nature of things
inevitable or inevitably. - in a state of nature
- in an uncivilized or uncultivated state.
- totally naked.
- Christian Theology in a morally unregenerate condition, unredeemed by divine grace.
- the nature of the beast
informal the inherent or essential character of something.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr., from L. natura ‘birth, nature, quality’, from nat-, nasci ‘be born’.
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