NATURE, n. [L. from nature, born, produced,]

1. In a general sense, whatever is made or produced; a word that comprehends all the works of God; the universe. Of a phenix we say, there is no such thing in nature. And look through nature up to nature's God. Pope.
2. By a metonymy of the effect for the cause, nature is used for the agent, creator, author, producer of things, or for the powers that produce them. By the expression, “trees and fossils are produced by nature,” we mean, they are formed or produced by certain inherent powers in matter, or we mean that they are produced by God, the Creator, the Author of whatever is made or produced. The opinion that things are produced by inherent powers of matter, independent of a supreme intelligent Author, is atheism. But generally men mean by nature, thus used, the Author of created things, or the operation of his power.
3. The essence, essential qualities or attributes of a thing, which constitute it what it is; as, the nature of the soul; the nature of blood; the nature of a fluid; the nature of plants, or of a metal; the nature of a circle or an angle. When we speak of the nature of man, we understand the peculiar constitution of his body or mind, or the qualities of the species which distinguish him from other animals. When we speak of the nature of a man, or an individual of the race, we mean his particular qualities or constitution; either the peculiar temperament of his body, or the affections of his mind, his natural appetites, passions, disposition or temper. So of irrational animals.
4. The established or regular course of things; as when we say, an event is not according to nature, or it is out of the order of nature. Boyle.
5. A law or principle of action or motion in a natural body. A stone by nature falls, or inclines to fall. Boyle.
6. Constitution; aggregate powers of a body, especially a living one. We say, nature is strong or weak; nature is almost exhausted. Boyle.
7. The constitution and appearances of things. The works, whether of poets, painters, moralists or historians, which are built upon general nature, live forever. Reynolds.
8. Natural affection or reverence. Have we not seen / The murdering son ascend his parent's bed, / Through violated nature force his way? Pope.
9. System of created things. He binding nature fast in fate, / Left conscience free and will. Pope.
10. Sort; species; kind; particular character. A dispute of this nature caused mischief to a king and archbishop. Dryden.
11. Sentiments or images conformed to nature, or to truth and reality. Only nature can please those tastes which are unprejudiced and refined. Addison.
12. Birth. No man is noble by nature.

To endow with natural qualities. [Not in use.] Gower.

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. To endow with natural qualities.
   
   
   [Obs.]

   He [God] which natureth every kind. Gower.

3. 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.

4. The established or regular course of things; usual order of events; connection of cause and effect.
5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Hence: Kind, sort; character; quality.
   
   

   A dispute of this nature caused mischief. Dryden.

8. Physical constitution or existence; the vital powers; the natural life.
   
   
   "My days of nature." Shak.

   Oppressed nature sleeps. Shak.

9. Natural affection or reverence.
   
   

   Have we not seen
   The murdering son ascend his parent's bed,
   Through violated nature foce his way? Pope.

10. 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.