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.
Na"ture, v. t. To endow with
natural qualities. [Obs.]
He [God] which natureth every
kind.
Gower.
