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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary na·ture ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin natura, from natus, past participle of nasci to be born — more at nation DATE 14th century 1. a. the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : essence b. disposition , temperament 2. a. a creative and controlling force in the universe b. an inner force or the sum of such forces in an individual 3. a kind or class usually distinguished by fundamental or essential characteristics documents of a confidential nature acts of a ceremonial nature 4. the physical constitution or drives of an organism; especially : an excretory organ or function — used in phrases like the call of nature 5. a spontaneous attitude (as of generosity) 6. the external world in its entirety 7. a. humankind's original or natural condition b. a simplified mode of life resembling this condition 8. the genetically controlled qualities of an organism 9. natural scenery Synonyms: see type English Etymology nature c.1300, "essential qualities, innate disposition," also "creative power in the material world," from O.Fr . nature, from L. natura"course of things, natural character, the universe," lit. "birth," from natus "born," pp. of nasci "to be born," from PIE *gene- "to give birth, beget" (see genus). Original sense is in human nature.Meaning "inherent, dominating power or impulse" of a person or thing is from c.1386. Contrasted with art since 1704. Nature and nurture have been contrasted since 1874.Nature should be avoided in such vague expressions as 'a lover of nature,' 'poems about nature.' Unless more specific statements follow, the reader cannot tell whether the poems have to do with natural scenery, rural life, the sunset, the untouched wilderness, or the habits of squirrels." [Strunk & White, "The Elements of Style," 3rd ed., 1979]Naturist "participant in the movement for communal nudity" is from 1929.http://O.Fr Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ nature na·ture / 5neitFE(r) / nounPLANTS, ANIMALS 动植物 1. (often Nature) [U] all the plants, animals and things that exist in the universe that are not made by people 宇宙中的万物；自然界；大自然: the beauties of nature 自然界中美好的东西 man-made substances not found in nature 自然界里找不到的人造物质 nature conservation 自然保护 HELP You cannot use 'the nature' in this meaning: the beauties of the nature. It is often better to use another appropriate word, for example the countryside, the scenery or wildlife : We stopped to admire the scenery. We stopped to admire the nature. 此义不可用 the nature。不作 the beauties of the nature。最好用其他恰当的词,如 the countryside、the scenery 或 wildlife。可以说 We stopped to admire the scenery. 不能说 We stopped to admire the nature. 2. (often Nature) [U] the way that things happen in the physical world when it is not controlled by people 自然；自然方式: the forces / laws of nature 自然力/规律 Just let nature take its course. 就顺其自然吧。 Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less. 她的疾病是天意在告诉她不要太劳累。 ⇨ see also Mother Nature CHARACTER 性质 3. [C, U] the usual way that a person or an animal behaves that is part of their character 天性；本性；性格: It's not in his nature to be unkind. 他天生不会刻薄。 She is very sensitive by nature. 她生性很敏感。 We appealed to his better nature (= his kindness). 我们设法唤起他的善良本性。 ⇨ see also good nature , human nature , second nature BASIC QUALITIES 基本特征 4. [sing.] the basic qualities of a thing 基本特征；本质；基本性质: the changing nature of society 不断变化的社会性质 It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem. 很难给这个问题确切定性。 My work is very specialized in nature. 我的工作特点是非常专业化。 TYPE / KIND 种类 5. [sing.] a type or kind of sth 种类；类型: books of a scientific nature 科学书籍 Don't worry about things of that nature. 别担心那类事情。 -NATURED 本性 6. (in adjectives 构成形容词) having the type of character or quality mentioned 有…本性的；…性情的: a good-natured man 脾气好的人 IDIOMS ▪ against 'nature not natural; not moral 违反自然的；有违天性的；不道德的: Murder is a crime against nature. 谋杀是一种有违天性的罪行。 ▪ (get, go, etc.) back to 'nature to return to a simple kind of life in the country, away from cities 回归自然；返朴归真 ▪ in the nature of 'sth similar to sth; a type of sth; in the style of sth 与…类似；…之类；以…风格: His speech was in the nature of an apology. 他的话也就是道歉。 ▪ in the 'nature of things in the way that things usually happen 理所当然地；自然地: In the nature of things, young people often rebel against their parents. 年轻人常常会反抗他们的父母,这很自然。 ⇨ more at call n., force n. Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English nature noun 1 the physical world; plants, animals, etc. ADJ. Mother Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise. VERB + NATURE commune with He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature. | be/get back to We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back (= be close) to nature. | be found in man-made substances not found in nature NATURE + VERB endow (sb with) sth Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality. | produce sth It's unlikely that this gully was produced by nature. NATURE + NOUN conservation | reserve | trail PREP. close to ~ people who live in the country and are close to nature | in ~ We appreciate beauty in nature. PHRASES the forces of nature, the laws of nature, a love of nature His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings. 2 qualities/features of sb/sth ADJ. basic, essential, fundamental, intrinsic, real, true | artificial | exact, precise, specific I'm not clear about the exact nature of their relationship. | general | selective | limited, restrictive | changing, seasonal, temporary, transitory | uncertain, unpredictable | arbitrary, random | subjective the subjective nature of an odour | abstract | capricious, fickle | intractable | distinctive, unusual | radical | complex | special, specialist | traditional | controversial | contradictory | problematic | unsatisfactory the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting | good People are always taking advantage of her good nature (= her kindness). | human It's only human nature to want more money. | divine | confidential, personal, private | public | international, local the international nature of the business | repetitive | routine matters of a routine nature | detailed Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush. | practical | physical, psychological, sexual They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. | economic, legal, political, social Their problems are of an economic nature. | contemplative | inquisitive VERB + NATURE have He has an inquisitive nature. | reveal The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute. | conceal | reflect | belie The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain. | be contrary to, be/run against It was against his nature to tell lies. | alter, change This new information does not change the nature of our findings. | acknowledge, be aware of, recognize Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved? | define, specify It is important to define the nature of the problem. | assess, consider, discuss, examine, explore, investigate | comprehend, realize, understand | misconceive | clarify, elucidate, explain, give/offer/provide an insight into His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution. | describe | determine | depend on The method employed will depend on the nature of the task. | appeal to There was no point appealing to her better nature (= kindness). PREP. by ~ He's not by nature an inquisitive person. | concerning the ~ a debate concerning the nature of violence | considering/given the ~ Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally. | in ~ Their strategy was essentially political in nature. | in sb/sth's ~ It's not in his nature to complain. A certain element of risk is in the nature of the job. | of a … ~ The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical. PHRASES by its very nature By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection. | the extent and nature of sth We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem. | a part of sb's nature the expressive part of his nature Her view is that aggression is part of human nature. | a side of/to sb's nature He had a vicious side to his nature. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Edition n. Function: noun 1 Synonyms: TYPE , character, description, ilk, kidney, kind, sort, stripe, variety, way Related Words: anatomy, framework, structure; conformation, figure, shape 2 Synonyms: ESSENCE 1, being, essentia, essentiality, texture 3 Synonyms: DISPOSITION 3, character, complexion, humor, individualism, individuality, makeup, personality, temper, temperament 4 Synonyms: UNIVERSE , cosmos (or kosmos), creation, macrocosm, macrocosmos, megacosm, worldWebster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged Search result show the entry is found in: law of nature , or nature faker , or nature philosophy , or nature print , or nature printing , or nature study , or balance of nature , or second nature , or better nature , or uniformity of nature , or force of nature , or nature trail , or buddha-nature , or call of nature , or come to nature , or crime against nature , or cultural nature , or freak of nature , or good nature , or guardian by nature , or human nature , or infamous crime against naturena·ture I. \ˈnāchə(r)\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin natura, from natus, (past participle of nasci to be born) + -ura -ure — more at nation 1. dialect England : normal and characteristic quality, strength, vigor, or resiliency < she cooked the meat till it lost all its nature > 2. a. : the essential character or constitution of something < the nature of the controversy > < inquire into the nature of heredity — Theodosius Dobzhansky > especially : the essence or ultimate form of something b. : the distinguishing qualities or properties of something < the nature of mathematics > < the nature of a literary movement > 3. a. : the fundamental character, disposition, or temperament of a living being usually innate and unchangeable < it was in his nature to look after others — F.A.Swinnerton > < devotion that it was not in her nature to return — Naomi Lewis > b. : the fundamental character, dispostion, or temperament of mankind as a whole : human nature b < not interested in any particular man … but in the nature of man — Peter Dunne > c. (1) : a specified kind of individual character, disposition, or temperament < his kindly nature > (2) : a being possessing or characterized by such a specified character, disposition, or temperament < who, like so many buoyant natures, had a talent for worrying — S.H.Adams > 4. : a creative and controlling agent, force, or principle operating in something and determining wholly or chiefly its constitution, development, and well-being: a. : such a force or agency in the universe acting as a creative guiding intelligence : a set of principles held to be established for the regulation of the universe or observed in its operation b. : an inner driving or prompting force (as instinct, appetite, desire) or the sum of such forces in an individual 5. : a life-giving or health-giving force in an animate being 6. : kind, order, or general character < most of his public acts are of a ceremonial nature — London Calling > < island songs of a Hawaiian nature — Eve Langley > 7. : the qualities, characteristics, properties, organs, and functions that together make up the vital being of a human being or other organism: a. : such organs or functions requiring nourishment b. : an excretory organ or function — usually used in the phrase call of nature 8. : normality especially as prescribed by law for sexual relations— usually used in the phrase against nature < their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature — Rom. 1:26 (Authorized Version) > — compare crime against nature 9. : feeling (as kindliness or affection) that is genuine, spontaneous, or unstudied in expression : naturalness 2 < that no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose — Shakespeare > 10. a. (1) : the created world in its entirety (2) : the totality of physical reality exclusive of things mental b. : the total system of spatiotemporal phenomena and events that can be explained by other occurrences in the same system 11. : the state of an unregenerate soul < the difference between a state of nature and a state of grace — Robert South > < the congenital nature of men is evil, the goodness in them acquired — E.R.Hughes > 12. a. : a theoretical condition or stage of existence usually held to reveal man in his original or proper state: as (1) : the normal and ideal character both of particular things and of the universe as a whole sometimes equated with reason and the rational < the full meaning of the Stoic injunction that we live according to nature — Frank Thilly > (2) : a simple, undomesticated, uncivilized mode of life among primitive men having few wants and obligations : a state of existence preceding the foundation of organized society b. : a simplified mode of life especially as lived out of doors apart from communities and other civilizing and restraining influences < escape from civilization and get back to nature > 13. : substance or essence that is the principle of specific proper acts or operations < the union of two natures in Christ > < in the Trinity, three persons in one divine nature > 14. : the genetically controlled qualities of an organism < nature … modified by nurture — E.G.Conklin > — compare nurture 15. : a particular order of existence or of existing things that is the subject matter of art: as a. : one having an unchanged as contrasted with a developed, ordered, perfected, or man-made character b. : real and objective existence : the world of mind and matter external to an observer : reality as observed c. : the aspect of out-of-doors (as a landscape) : natural scenery Synonyms: see type II. intransitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Medieval Latin naturare, from Latin natura : to give to each thing its specific nature III. \“, in sense 2 nəˈtu̇(ə)r\ adjective Etymology: nature (I) 1. : of or relating to nature 2. [French, plain, unadulterated (used of food or drink), from nature, n.] : brut |
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