the Earth and outer space - general words

nature

na·ture [nature natures]   [ˈneɪtʃə(r)]    [ˈneɪtʃər]  noun

PLANTS, ANIMALS
1. (often Nature) uncountable all the plants, animals and things that exist in the universe that are not made by people
• the beauties of nature
• man-made substances not found in nature
• nature conservation  You cannot use ‘the nature’ in this meaning: the beauties of the nature. It is often better to use another appropriate word, for example the countryside, the scenery or wildlife
• We stopped to admire the scenery.

• We stopped to admire the nature.

2. (often Nature) uncountable the way that things happen in the physical world when it is not controlled by people
• the forces/laws of nature
• Just let nature take its course.
• Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.

see also  Mother Nature  

CHARACTER

3. countable, uncountable the usual way that a person or an animal behaves that is part of their character
• It's not in his nature to be unkind.
• She is very sensitive by nature.
• We appealed to his better nature (= his kindness).

see also  good nature, human nature, second nature  

BASIC QUALITIES

4. singular the basic qualities of a thing
• the changing nature of society
• It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem.
• My work is very specialized in nature.

• The future by its very nature is uncertain.  

TYPE/KIND

5. singular a type or kind of sth
• books of a scientific nature

• Don't worry about things of that nature.  

-NATURED

6. (in adjectives) having the type of character or quality mentioned
• a good-natured man
more at the call of nature at  call  _n., the forces of nature at  force  _n.
Idioms: against nature ▪ back to nature ▪ in the nature of something ▪ in the nature of things  
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the physical power of a person): from Old French, from Latin natura ‘birth, nature, quality’, from nat- ‘born’, from the verb nasci.  
Thesaurus:
nature noun
1. U
• Take time to appreciate the beauties of nature.
the natural world • • the environment • • the wild • • life • • wildlife • • ecosystem • • habitat •
in nature/the environment/the wild/an ecosystem/a habitat
(a/an/the) marine/terrestrial/aquatic environment/life/wildlife/ecosystem/habitat
protect the natural world/the environment/… life/wildlife/habitats
2. C, U
• It's not in her nature to be unkind.
character • • personality • • temperament • • self • • make-up • |formal disposition • • persona •
by nature/temperament
in sb's nature/character
a violent nature/character/personality/temperament
a generous nature/character/disposition
Which word? Nature is used about sb's normal way of behaving; character is used especially about sb's moral behaviour; personality is used especially about whether sb is confident, shy, etc. with other people.; temperament is mostly used about whether sb normally stays calm, or gets angry, etc.
3. sing.
• It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem.
character • • essence • • stuff • • spirit •
in nature/character/essence/spirit
the very nature/character/essence/stuff/spirit of sth
preserve/capture/convey/reflect the nature/character/essence of sth
Nature or character? Use nature to talk about the basic qualities of abstract things, such as society or risks; use character to talk about the qualities of buildings, places and other physical things, especially qualities that make a place or thing seem different or special.  
Word Family:
nature noun
natural adjective (≠ unnatural)
naturally adverb (≠ unnaturally) 
Example Bank:
• Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved?
• Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush.
• By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection.
• Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally.
• He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature.
• He had a vicious side to his nature.
• He has an inquisitive nature.
• He's not by nature an inquisitive person.
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.
• His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings.
• His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution.
• I'm not clear about the exact nature of their relationship.
• It is important to define the nature of the problem.
• It was against his nature to tell lies.
• It's highly unlikely that this mound was produced by nature.
• It's not in his nature to complain.
• It's only human nature to want more money.
• Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise.
• Mother Nature's way of dealing with overpopulation
• Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality.
• People are always taking advantage of her good nature.
• The Buddhist goal is to realize the true nature of the world.
• The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain.
• The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical.
• The method employed will depend on the nature of the task.
• The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute.
• The victim has not been identified because of the sensitive nature of the case.
• Their problems are of an economic nature.
• Their strategy was essentially political in nature.
• There was no point appealing to her better nature.
• They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
• This new information does not change the nature of our findings.
• We appreciate beauty in nature.
• We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back to nature.
• We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back= be close to nature.
• We can only treat the injury and then let nature take its course.
• We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem.
• a debate concerning the nature of violence
• matters of a routine nature
• people who live in the country and are close to nature
• the dual nature of man as a physical and spiritual being
• the expressive part of his nature
• the international nature of the business
• the subjective nature of an odour
• the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting
• A lot of nature conservation is about protecting habitats.
• Decisions of this nature often take a long time.
• Don't worry about things of that nature.
• Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.
• His books were mainly of a scientific nature.
• It seemed against the laws of nature that such a creature could even exist.
• It's not in her nature to be unkind.
• My work is very specialized in nature.
• She is very sensitive by nature.
• Take time to appreciate the beauties of nature.
• The forces of nature are constantly reshaping our world.
• The talk addressed the subject of the changing nature of our society.
• We appealed to his better nature.
• What's the nature of his work?

• White phosphorus is so reactive that it is not found in nature.