1 [mass noun] the phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans or human creations:the breathtaking beauty of nature
the physical force regarded as causing and regulating the phenomena of the world:it is impossible to change the laws of natureSee also Mother Nature.
2the basic or inherent features, character, or qualities of something:helping them to realize the nature of their problemsthere are a lot of other documents of that nature
the innate or essential qualities or character of a person or animal:it’s not in her nature to listen to adviceI’m not violent by nature
[mass noun] inborn or hereditary characteristics as an influence on or determinant of personality.Often contrasted with nurture.
[with adjective] archaic a person of a specified character:Emerson was so much more luminous a nature
against nature
unnatural in a way perceived as immoral:is a father killing his son not an act against nature?
someone's better nature
a person’s capacity for tolerance, generosity, or sympathy:Charlotte planned to appeal to his better nature
the call of nature
used euphemistically to refer to a need to urinate or defecate.
from nature
(in art) using natural scenes or objects as models:I wanted to paint landscape directly from nature
get (or go) back to nature
return to the type of life (regarded as being in tune with nature) that existed before the development of industrial societies:we must get back to nature and question the use of anything which threatens the environment
in the nature of
having the characteristics of; similar to:a week at home would be in the nature of a holiday
in the nature of things
1inevitable:it is in the nature of things that the majority of music prizes get set up for performers rather than composers
2inevitably:in the nature of things, old people spend much more time indoors
in a state of nature
1in a state unaffected by human intervention.
2totally naked.
3 Christian Theology in a morally unregenerate condition, unredeemed by divine grace.
the nature of the beast
informal the inherent and unchangeable character of something.
