/ˈneɪtʃər/
Origin: Latin suffix -ure
Nature has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
"it is the nature of fire to burn"
"the true nature of jealousy"
a causal agent creating and controlling things in the universe
"the laws of nature"
"nature has seen to it that men are stronger than women"
the natural physical world including plants and animals and landscapes etc.
"they tried to preserve nature as they found it"
the complex of emotional and intellectual attributes that determine a person's characteristic actions and reactions
"it is his nature to help others"
a particular type of thing
"problems of this type are very difficult to solve"
"he's interested in trains and things of that nature"
"matters of a personal nature"
The natural world; that which consists of all things unaffected by or predating human technology, production, and design. (Compare ecosystem.)
"After hiking through the untouched forest, we felt completely at peace surrounded by nature's raw beauty."
In plain English: Nature is everything that exists in the world without being made by people, including plants, animals, and landscapes.
"We went for a walk in nature to enjoy the fresh air and green trees."
Usage: Use "nature" to refer to the physical world and living environment as it exists independently of human influence. Avoid using it interchangeably with specific ecosystems, which describe particular biological communities.
To endow with natural qualities.
"The artist's talent was nature, for she could capture even the most fleeting emotions on canvas without a single stroke of hesitation."
In plain English: To nature something means to change it so that it fits in with the natural world.
"The flowers will soon nature themselves from the cut stems."
Usage: Nature is almost exclusively used as a noun to refer to the natural world or inherent characteristics; it should not be used as a verb meaning to endow with natural qualities in modern English. Instead, use phrases like "give something a natural quality" or "make something natural" to convey that intended meaning.
The sum of natural forces reified and considered as a sentient being, will, or principle.
"She felt that Nature herself was punishing the city for its greed by unleashing such violent storms."
The word "nature" comes from the Latin nātūra, which originally meant "birth" or "origin." It entered English via Middle English and Old French, carrying its sense of natural constitution from those earlier forms.