nature

English

/ˈneɪtʃə/, /ˈneɪtʃɚ/, /ˈnɛːtʃɐ/, /ˈnæɪ̯tʃə/, /ˈnæetʃɘ/

noun
Definitions
  • (uncountable) The natural world; that which consists of all things unaffected by or predating human technology, production, and design. Compare m
  • The innate characteristics of a thing. What something will tend by its own constitution, to be or do. Distinct from what might be expected or intended.
  • The summary of everything that has to do with biological, chemical and physical states and events in the physical universe.
  • Conformity to that which is natural, as distinguished from that which is artificial, or forced, or remote from actual experience.
  • Kind, sort; character; quality.
  • (obsolete) Physical constitution or existence; the vital powers; the natural life.
  • (obsolete) Natural affection or reverence.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English nature borrowed from Old French nature derived from Latin nātūra (nature, birth, origin, natural constitution quality) root from Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- (produce, beget, give birth, be born, procreate, generate, beget give birth to, bear).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*ǵenh₁-

Gloss

produce, beget, give birth, be born, procreate, generate, beget give birth to, bear

Concept
Semantic Field

Modern world

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

産

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms