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n. 1. a. The material world and its phenomena: scientists analyzing nature. b. The forces and processes that produce and control these phenomena: the balance of nature. 2. The world of living things and the outdoors: spent the day enjoying nature. 3. A primitive state of existence, untouched and uninfluenced by civilization or social constraints: when people lived in a state of nature. 4. The basic character or qualities of humanity: It is only human nature to worry about the future. 5. The fundamental character or disposition of a person; temperament: a man of an irascible nature. See Synonyms at disposition. 6. The set of inherent characteristics or properties that distinguish something: trying to determine the nature of a newly discovered phenomenon. 7. A kind or sort: confidences of a personal nature. 8. a. The processes and functions of the body, as in healing: The doctor decided not to do anything and let nature take its course. b. Heredity: behavior more influenced by nature than nurture. [Middle English, essential properties of a thing, from Old French, from Latin nātūra, from nātus, past participle of nāscī, to be born; see genə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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