Topic: BIOLOGY
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | Latin natura, from natus; NATION |
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na‧ture S1 W1
1 everything in the physical world that is not controlled by humans, such as wild plants and animals, earth and rocks, and the weather : 
We grew up in the countryside, surrounded by the beauties of nature.nature conservation
plants/animals etc
also Nature [uncountable]HBHEWe grew up in the countryside, surrounded by the beauties of nature.nature conservation the laws/forces of nature The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature.
The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature.2 someone's character : a child with a happy, easy-going nature I tried appealing to his better nature (=his feelings of kindness) but he wouldn't agree to help us. Of course she's jealous - it's only human nature (=the feelings and ways of behaving that all people have).
somebody's character
[uncountable and countable]a child with a happy, easy-going natureI tried appealing to his better nature (=his feelings of kindness) but he wouldn't agree to help us.Of course she's jealous - it's only human nature (=the feelings and ways of behaving that all people have).3 the qualities or features that something has
qualities of something
[singular, uncountable] nature of They asked a lot of questions about the nature of our democracy. He examined the nature of the relationship between the two communities.
They asked a lot of questions about the nature of our democracy.He examined the nature of the relationship between the two communities.4 a particular kind of thing
type
[singular]5 according to the natural way things happen : In the nature of things, there is bound to be the occasional accident.
in the nature of things
In the nature of things, there is bound to be the occasional accident.6 to be similar to a type of thing : The enquiry will be more in the nature of a public meeting than a formal hearing.
be in the nature of something
formalThe enquiry will be more in the nature of a public meeting than a formal hearing.7 to allow events to happen without doing anything to change the results : The best cure for a cold is to let nature take its course.
let nature take its course
The best cure for a cold is to let nature take its course.