Na"ture , v. t. To endow with natural qualities. [Obs.]
He [God] which natureth every kind.
Gower.
Na"ture (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. natura, fr.
natus born, produced, p. p. of nasci to be born. See Nation.]
1. The existing system of things; the world of
matter, or of matter and
mind; the creation; the universe.
But looks through nature up to nature's God.
Pope. Nature has caprices which art can
not imitate.
Macaulay. 2. The
personified sum and order of causes and effects; the powers which produce existing
phenomena, whether in the total or
in detail; the agencies which carry on the
processes of creation or of being; --
often conceived of as a single and separate entity, embodying the total of all
finite agencies and forces as disconnected from a creating or ordering intelligence.
I oft admire
How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit
Such disproportions.
Milton.
3. The established or regular course of things; usual order of events; connection of cause and
effect.
4. Conformity to that which is
natural, as distinguished from that which is
artificial, or forced, or remote from actual experience.
One touch of
nature makes the whole world kin.
Shak. 5.
The sum of qualities and attributes which make a
person or thing what it
is, as distinct from others; native character; inherent or essential qualities or
attributes; peculiar constitution or quality of being.
Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem,
Their nature also to thy
nature join,
And be thyself man among men on
earth.
Milton.
6. Hence: Kind, sort; character; quality.
A dispute of
this nature caused mischief.
Dryden.
7. Physical constitution or existence; the vital powers; the natural life. "My days of nature." Shak.
Oppressed
nature sleeps.
Shak.
8. Natural affection or reverence.
Have we not seen
The murdering son ascend his parent's
bed,
Through violated
nature foce his way?
Pope.
9. Constitution or quality of
mind or character.
A born devil,
on whose nature
Nurture can never stick.
Shak. That reverence which is due
to a superior nature.
Addison. Good nature, Ill nature. see under Good and Ill. -- In a state of nature. (a)
Naked as when born; nude. (b) In a condition of sin; unregenerate.
(c) Untamed; uncvilized. --
Nature printng, a process of printing from metallic or other plates which have received an impression, as by heavy pressure, of an object such as a leaf, lace, or
the like. -- Nature worship, the worship of the personified powers of nature. -- To pay the debt of nature, to die.
Hear it pronounced