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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Natur(e, n. Also: natour(e, -uir, -eur, -er, nattur, nathur, nathwre. [ME. (c 1250) and e.m.E. natur(e, F. nature, L. nātūra.]

1. Nature in general or in the abstract; the governing principle of natural creation; the natural order of things.Also sense 5.Law of nature, see Law n.¹ 3 b.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxiv. 18.
A luflyare thing mycht be nane Be nature mad of flesch na bane c1400 Troy-bk. i. 565. 1456 Hay I. 66/35.
For nature has ay resoun for it … as God has ordanyt Ib. II. 129/33.
All nature is than mare drawand to hete and drouthis na ony othir tyme of the ȝere 1461 Liber Plusc. 381.
God of nature, quhilk all the eird honouris With fruyt [etc.] Ib. 385.
[To] dow hire with the gyfis of nature a1500 Henr. III. 135/25.
Natur can so wirk That ȝung & auld [etc.] … man de Id. Fab. 1642 (Bann.). Id. Orph. 377. c1475 Wall. ix. 10.
Ȝepherus ek … He comfort has, be wyrking off natour [: vapour], All fructuous thing Ib. iii. 6. 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. Prol. 75.
Thy godly lore … expellis all that nature infestis a1568 Bann. MS. 147 b/38.
Wan fukkit funling that natour maid ane yrle 1533 Boece x. iii. 352 b.
This vniuersite … is indigent of na thing that nature to the vse of studentis has producit 1565 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xlix.
To inveit the verie ordour of nature to mak the prince obey and the subiectis to command 1611-57 Mure Misc. P. viii. 17.
Quhose sueitnes … Exceids the bounds of natour 1633 Lithgow Poet. Rem. 112.
Even from the judges to the scume of nature(2) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 93/16.
Gif the law of natuir ingraftit in our hertis reios in al cumlie and decent ordour c1575 Balfour Pract. i.
The law is devydit in thre partis; in the law of nature, in the law of God, and in the positive law

b. Be, be (the) way of or of nature, in accordance with the natural order of things, naturally. c. Againe, aganis, by, or contrare (to) nature, unnatural(ly, contrary to the normal order of things. Also agane the course of nature. Also, abone nature, supernaturally.b. (1) 1456 Hay I. 225/15.
Sen the fader dois to the sone it that he aw to do be the way of nature a1568 Bann. MS. 75 b/7.
For churliche blud seindill dois recure To be gentill be way of nature(2) 1456 Hay II. 75/6.
Quhen he saw he micht nocht for elde langsumly be nature lest a1500 Colk. Sow iii. 26. 1490 Irland Mir. I. 26/36.
We are nocht his sonis be natur, bot be creaciouine and ymage c1460 Thewis Gud Women 213.
Quhill wysdome cum thaim be natur(3) 1456 Hay II. 87/21.
All gude vertues haboundis bathe of resoun and of nature a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 306.
The saull of man sa noble is of nature c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlix. 36.
Eftir respyt To wirk dispyt Moir appetyt He hes of natourc. c1400 Troy-bk. i. 488.
Scho the mekile lythtys twa … Wald ger eclyps be … Agane the course of nature Ib. 546.
Thane tok the sonne in-to that houre Eclyps, bot all again nature Of hys kindely coniunctioune c1450-2 Howlat 58.
I am bot ane owle, Aganis natur in the nicht I walk in to weir Ib. 732. 1456 Hay I. 257/8.
For it is agayne nature that the waykare wan the starkare Ib. II. 88/32.
A despaire that is contraire to nature a1500 Colk. Sow iii. 13.
How suld a penny fruct contrar nature c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 65/14.
The foull and abhominable syn aganis natur a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1068 (H).
Dede rais abone nature [Arund. natour] a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 305.
It war aganis bayth natur and gud ressoun c1500-c1512 Dunb. ix. 90.
Of … syn aganis nateur 1533 Gau 16/8. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3308.
Thus leuit he contynualye Agane nature inordinatlye 1581 Hamilton in Cath. Tr. 87/20.
Sa the flude Jordan ran contrare nature bakuart Ib. /25.
Elisæus … causit the hauie irne by nature sueme aboue the valter

d. With reference to life and death as the natural or regular order of things. c1450-2 Howlat 462.
Off commoun nature the cours be kynd to fulfill The gud king gaif the gaist to God for to reid a1500 Seven S. 11.
Quhen the empryce … Throw det of natur this lyf left a1585 Maitl. Q. xciii. 2.
Quha by thair death hes naturs course by naturs lyne conclud

2. Hereditary, innate or inherent constitution, disposition, temperament or endowments (of a person or animal).Also, a characteristic or quality (of a person, etc.).For the proverb nature passes nurture, see Nurture n.(1) c1420 Wynt. i. 59.
Off angelis nature and thare state Ib. 72.
Off nature and off nobyll ayre … Lyk made to Gode and schapyne wes 1456 Hay I. 130/1. Ib. 85/11, 149/4, etc.
All ath agaynis … the bidding of God and our all kyndelynes of nature ar nocht tobe kepit c1460 Thewis Gud Women 96.
Kep the hew of hir natur Ib. 269.
For natur drawis evir to kynd a1500 Henr. Fab. 810 (Bann.).
As nature will, sekand his fude be sent Ib. 786. a1500 Colk. Sow i. 134. a1500 Bernardus 156.
Quhilk cummys tham [sc. women] of kynde and of nature Of thar formodyr Eua c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 7/16.
Our fragill nature and inclinacoun to syn dayly Id. Mir. I. 32/8.
He is sa hie in natur, in His entite and deite Ib. 6/7, 57/4, 121/29, etc. Ib. MS. 191 a/7.
It is for the perfeccioun & exaltacioun of the natur humane that al vthir naturis inferioris ar maid 1494 Loutfut MS. 34 b.
That he wes of gud wil and of a gud natur c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 321. Id. xiv. 42.
Sic brallaris and bosteris, degenerat fra thair naturis 1513 Doug. x. Prol. 22.
Thy maist supreme indiuisibill substans, In ane natur thre personys 1531 Bell. Boece I. 71. a1538 Abell 47 b.
Quhethir thare wes twa naturis in Christ or nocht 1549 Compl. 140/33, 141/1. 1558-66 Knox II. 294. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 52.
Quhair he wrocht agains the nature of the Chamaeleon Ib. 53. a1578 Pitsc. I. 194/19. Ib. 291/22.
The nature of thame [sc. parvenus] is evir reddie to tak siluir of baith the handis 1596 Dalr. I. 280/7.
Thir preclair giftes of nature and ingine in him 1639 Sc. Ant. III. 132.
A dog of marvelus natur called the sleuth-hund(b) 1549 Compl. 106/14.
Quhen there tua natours and complexions ar contrar til vtheris 1550–1 Corr. M. Lorraine 345.
I knew the natoure of the maist parte of the Scottis men c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus Prol. 72.
He that has of watter the natoure … Is daft and doyld 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I. 510.
You know somewhat of his natour, and I dar ondertake that he is no dissemblar 1558-66 Knox II. 409.
As tueching natour, I wes ane worm of this earth 1568–9 Anderson Collect. Mary IV. ii. 185.
Bot albeit we be not of sic natour as thais that forgevis never 1570 Leslie 183.
The wyld … natour of the Irichemen duelling in the hielandis and ilis of Scotteland c1610 Melville Mem. 6.
I being of the same mynd and natour and be a just calling(c) 1535 Stewart 42656.
So is the natuir baith of puir and ryik 1562-3 Winȝet II. 43/9.
Nocht be commixtioun of natuiris Ib. 46/13.
God maid man, nocht be changeing of natuir [etc.](d) 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 242.
For the nater of this pepill is of this realm first to be gentillie don to(2) c1420 Wynt. viii. 5946.
[He was] thowles than, for his yowthed To that nature wald hym lede a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 297 (Aru nd.).
The secound natur is callit consuetude

b. Be (by), of, on nature, of (one's) nature: By innate propensity, disposition or endowment; by instinct; also, by descent, hereditarily.(1) 1490 Irland Mir. I. 17/12.
We knaw nocht be way of jnscicioune of nature c1490 Porteous Noblenes 176/16.
Ane noble man of nature c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 244.
Theif of natour Id. xviii. 29. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 290 (B).
I am of nateur so towart I latt no lovaris pas with sorry hairt 1549 Compl. 141/25. 1580-92 James VI Lusus Reg. 24, 25.
As gooshalks are of nature geuin to greid, As hennis of nature kekkillis quhen they lay 1596 Dalr. I. 21/17.
Nathir only of nature hes this dog this ingine, bot rathir of man(2) (a1568 Dunb.) Bann. MS. 262 a/12.
Quhilk formit is ane owill be nateur a1500 Henr. Fab. 2787 (Bann.).
A paddok … Quhilk be natur gowth dowk and gaylie swyme c1552 Lynd. Mon. 952.
Adam … Quhilk had the dominatioun Off euery leuyng creature … be nature 1611-57 Mure Son. viii. 3.
By natour some do weir the lawrell croun(3) 1535 Stewart 30692.
Force is to thame on nature to be fals(4) 1456 Hay II. 135/5.
Sum ar lene of thair nature a1500 Henr. Fab. 717 (Bann.).
And seikly and waik & of my natur tendir a1578 Pitsc. I. 123/15.
Donald Lord of the Illis … quhome he knew of his natur to be proud

c. Regular or normal principles of action or behaviour; the regular dictates of conduct or living. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlix. 9.
Horrible to natour Is ane tratour 1531 Bell. Boece II. 450.
Ravinnis [etc.] … clekit thair birdis in winter, contrar the nature of thair kind a1568 Bann. MS. 72 b/48.
As vse is haldin ane uthir nateur 1584 Laing MSS. I. 42.
As natour, blude, dewtie and our amitie dois requyre 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I. 87.
Altogidder contrarius to the natour of weill levand personis 1620 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 106 b (5 Apr.).
Nether to hawe any ground in natuir or ressone

d. Put for: An individual person of a specified disposition or temperament. a1538 Abell 113 b.
The law of nature … is inpressit in euirilk natur be the he wirkar 1558-66 Knox II. 409.
Honest, gentill and meik naturis … may be convertit a1568 Scott xxxiv. 81.
Thocht ȝung perwersit natouris To palȝardy applawddis

e. All the individuals of a particular hereditary constitution, a (human or animal) species, race, kind. 1456 Hay II. 103/7.
Quhasa slais ane othir creature of his awin kynde and nature slais him self c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 433.
For sen he bare a manis portrature He suld haue pietie of his awin nature 1490 Irland Mir. I. 96/9.
Jhesus … attendit nocht to the … offensis of men bot luvit … thar nature Ib. 116/4.
O hevinly Fader, wyrkare and dressare of all creature and nature 1549 Compl. 141/3.
Scheip, doggis, voluis, lyons … deffend there auen natur contrar the violens of vthir beystis

3. The bodily constitution or requirements of a person or animal; one's physical constitution, ability, needs or desires. 1456 Hay I. 79/32.
Men that war symple … did efter the provocacioun of nature and be the fleschly appetite Ib. II. 5/5.
Nature in him was sa faillid throu febilnesse that [etc.] Ib. 132/19, 150/12. c1490 Porteous Noblenes (Ch. & M.) 69.
Distemperance of wyne & heit that … greuis strenth … and hurtis the natur a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 92. a1500 Henr. Fab. 519 (Bann.).
Off chaumer glew … Waistit he was, of nature cald and drye Ib. 507. Id. Test. Cress. 34. c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 40/24.
In the spring of the ȝere mennis nature rysis and burgeonis as the tre a1538 Abell 3 b.
Sum hes the natur of man and woman baith 1535 Stewart 209.
Strang of nature, corsie and corageous c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5112.
Strange infirmeteis … Quhilk humane nature dois abhor c1554 Makeson Genesis fol. 7.
Beyng sa auld that failȝit him nature 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1132. 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 15.
At quhilk tym natur employit it self to exclude all iniuris Ib. 21.
Al diseisis that may inuaid humane nature 1650 Craig-Brown Selkirkshire I. 451.
For selling aill … to any man mor than suffice nattur

b. With specific reference to the natural excretory or sexual functions, needs or desires of humans or animals.(1) 1456 Hay I. 174/9.
Gif … he be but esmentis of his persoun sik as nature askis a1538 Abell 13 b.
Thai fenȝit to pas furth to thare nedis of natur 1685 Sinclair Satan's Inv. World 247.
Steping to the door to ease nature(2) 1494 Loutfut MS. 18 b.
A beste ioly quhilk euer desiris lechory and to fulfill his natour c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 174.
He has bene lychour so lang quhill lost is his natur Ib. 392. 1549 Compl. 141/14.
The mail vitht the femmel committis nocht the verkis of natur, bot in the saison of generatione 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. viii. 47.
Natours due so sall we pay

c. The semen. 1456 Hay II. 129/16.
Quhat ever a man les of his blude, or of his nature or of his laxatives a1500 Henr. Orph. 383 (Ch. & M.).
In that cloud his nature yede hym fro 1490 Irland Mir. I. 66/35.
Thai say at the natur of man than had enterit in the woman [etc.] a1500 Seven S. 1191.
For falt of purgyn of his nature 1531 Bell. Boece II. 212.
His nature sliding bot ony pleseir or persaving 1590 Crim. Trials I. ii. 219.
In respect to his [the Devil's] colde nature 1601 Reg. Privy C. VI. 241.
Be the dobbing of ane apple and infusing of ane portioun of his awn natur in it 1647 Durham Univ. J. XXXIV. 64.
She being speired at whether his natour was hoat or cold 1649 Crim. Trials III. 599. 1662 Ib. 611; etc.

d. ? Excrement. — 1603 Crim. Trials II. 427.
Heavelie diseisit with ane flux of natour and ane flux of his body

4. Of a thing: Inherent character or quality, kind or sort.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 708.
Mony man metis … It neidis nocht to renewe all thair naturis 1456 Hay I. 76/21.
That the naturis of the sternis and planetis ar contrary c1460 Wisd. Sol. 521.
Al thingis that God has maid ar gud and perpetuall in thare kinde and nature c1460 Thewis Wysmen 211.
The natur of this warld daly Is euir changand c1475 Wall. vii. 179. a1500 Henr. Orph. 107 (Asl.).
So penitryf As natur is of all mortall poisoun c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 2/10.
The xj chapiter tretis of the natur, condicioun and necessite of mercye 1562-3 Winȝet II. 57/5. Ib. 29/30.
I wil nocht haif the apperance, bot the natuir planelie of gold 1573 Crim. Trials I. ii. 42.
In respect of the natour of the caus a1578 Pitsc. I. 285/4. 1590 Digest Justiciary Proc. M. 19.
The gers … wes so heich be the natour of wther gers 1590 R. Bruce Serm. 77. 1596 Dalr. I. 45/15. Ib. 140/22.
This indeid heirof is the nature that, quhair ance it fixis the rute, it spredis the selfe 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 133.
Na mediciane … knawis the nature of hir diseace 1597 Milne-Home MSS. 63.
The adament and the iron … thocht na force be of power to change thair nathwres 1602 Colville Paraenese 69. 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix.
There is a crafty sort that pretends reason from the causes nature a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 53.
Efter his deceas the annexationes … shall returne to their owen natur again(2) 1456 Hay II. 134/2. Ib. 143/27.
Ros and othir herbes of calde nature 1531 Bell. Boece I. xxxi.
Ane stane of sic nature that [etc.] 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 208.
Lands … of a mixt nature 1622-6 Bisset II. 255/29.
All uthir questionis of sic natour 1651 Laing MSS. I. 261.
In saife conducts which ar not of a compensible natur 1687 Hector Renfrewshire Rec. I. 47.
Crymes of high nature

b. Of (the awin) nature, inherently, in itself. 15.. Clar. iii. 2108.
For joy of nature bein celestiall 1590 R. Bruce Serm. 62.
Faith of the awin nature being spirituall 1616 Rollock Wks. II. 89.
It was not deadly of the own nature to Shimei to go out of the ports of Jerusalem, but because [etc.] Ib. 321.

c. Of the nature of, In nature of, of the character of, similar in properties or functions to, like. Also, of the lyk natour (with).(1) 1456 Hay I. 283/11.
All metallis … is of the nature of colouris a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1538 (Harl.).
Solace salbe sure Nocht of the nature of wardlie variaunce a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 210.
Common kirks ar declared to be of the natur of wther personages and wicarages 1697 Fountainhall Decis. I. 800.
Being … of the nature of an universitas bonorum(2) a1500 Bk. Chess 2168.
He gois blak in natur of the quene(3) 1606 Crim. Trials. II. 500.
And is of the lyk natour with the particuleris contenit in the said act 1627 Rep. Parishes 89.
Bryankirk hes 4 aikeris and payis of the lyk natour

d. A class, sort, category. (Cf. 2 e.) 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 203.
We se that euirilk natur of thing cummys to the fyn and perfeccioun that it is ordand for

e. spec. The tenor or purport of a statute, written agreement or the like. 1409 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 72.
Eftir the nature of thair band 1445 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 13.
Agayne the natur of our trewis c 1580 (1439) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 6.
After the nature of the statutes 1690 Beale Fife Schools 195.
The using of a great trade … contrary to the nature and desyre of his admission

5. More or less definitely personified.Freq. as a female being and freq. Dame Nature.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii. 169.
Tho Deme Nature had set hir cure c1450-2 Howlat 32.
Thir sauorus seidis War nurist be Dame Natur, that noble mastres c1475 Wall. x. 137. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 63.
Haill Princes Natur Ib. 90.
Dame Natur Id. lxxxiv. 19. 1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 231. 1528 Lynd. Dreme 84. c1552 Id. Mon. 131.
Decorit weill be craft of Dame Nature(2) ?1438 Alex. ii. 5020.
Graues … waxis grene As Nature, throw hir craftis kene, Schroudis thameself with thare floures c1450 Cr. Deyng (S.T.S.) 30.
That God and Nature has ordanyt c1450-2 Howlat 276.
Sen it nechit Natur, thar alleris mastris Ib. 920. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2644 (Bann.).
Thocht I can nocht, Nature will me defend Ib. 643, 1443. a1500 K. Hart 19. 1492 Myll Spect. Luf 276/22.
Nature tuk sa gret lawbour … in the makyng of wemen c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 87.
Thare saw I Nature present hir [May] a gounn Id. xlvi. 52, xlviii. 3. 1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 102.
Ourspredand leyvis of Naturis tapestreis a1538 Abell 87 a.
At Natur inclinit nocht a man to haif dominatioun [etc.] 1549 Compl. 11/10. 15.. Clar. iv. 250. 1561 Cal. Sc. P. I. 582.
That affection which Natuir hayth planted in one bluid 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2588.
I wait sic ane ȝit neuer maid Natour [: tratour] c1600 Montg. Suppl. vii. 2.
Off Natouris work in erthe the maist perfyte a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 61 (Wr.).