nature

& a. [Fr., from Lat. natura, orig. fem. sing. of naturus, fut. par. of nascor=to be born; Sp., Port., & Ital. natura.] A. As substantive : 1. The universe, as distinguished from the Creator; all that exists or is produced without artificial means; the world of matter and of mind; the system of which we ourselves form a part; creation; all created things, by which man is more immediately surrounded, as land, oceans, plants, animals, . 2. By metonymy, the agent, producer, or creator of things; the powers which carry on the proce es of creation; the powers concerned to produce existing phenomena, whether in sum or in detail; the personified sum and order of cause and effect. ""Twas nature's will." Words worth: Excursion, bk. vi. 3. 'The inherent or natural qualities of anything; those peculiar characteristics and attributes which serve to distinguish one thing from another. 4. The natural disposition of mind of any person; temper; personal character; individual constitution. "It may be in your power; but it is not in your nature." -Macaulay: Hist. Eng., ch. v. 5. Quality, sort, kind, species. "Your capacity is of that nature." Shakesp.: Love's Labor's Lost , v. 2. *6. Human life; vitality; natural existence. "I would repent out the remainder of nature." Shakesp.: All's Well that Ends Well , iv. 3. 7. Natural affection; the innate and involuntary affection of the heart and mind. "Fond nature bids us all lament." Shakesp.: Romeo and Juliet, iv. 5. 8. That which is in conformity with nature, truth, or reality; sentiments or images adapted to nature, as distinguished from that which is affected, artificial, or false. 9. The natural course of things. "My end Was wrought by nature , not by vile offense." Shakesp.: Comedy of Errors , i. 1. B. As adj .: Natural; growing naturally or spon- taneously; as, a nature gra . ( Scotch .) 1. To go (or walk ) the way of nature, To pay the debt of nature : To die. The American Dictionary and Cyclopedia IMG:content-1592.png:[blocks in formation]