nature

freak of nature

Something or someone that is unusual, rare, or abnormal in some way; beyond or outside the natural world. The goat they have at the circus sideshow is a real freak of nature, it was born with two heads! He can lift over 500 pounds in the gym, he's like some freak of nature.

allow nature to take its course

To let events develop and conclude naturally, i.e., as they would without outside intervention, help, or interference. The phrase can refer literally to nature or figuratively to manmade situations or events. Though I know people are eager to help those affected by the earthquake, unfortunately we have to allow nature to take its course before anything can be done. We've done as much preparation for the election as we can; we just have to allow nature to take her course tomorrow.

course of nature

The natural, normal, or ordinary sequence or unfolding of things. The disease has spread so far that there's nothing to do now but let it follow the course of nature. Times of hardship and times of plenty are part of the course of nature for any independent business.

good nature

A kindly, affable, beneficent, and/or obliging propensity or personality. Mark's good nature has made the death of my mother so much easier to bear. It was thanks to the good nature of my thesis supervisor that I felt so confident writing my dissertation. Margaret has such a good nature, always willing to lend a hand no matter what the task may be.

nature's way of (doing something)

A natural biological process by which something is done or accomplished. A fever is just nature's way of telling you that your body is fighting off an infection. A baby's crying when she's born is just nature's way of getting air into her lungs for the first time.

by nature

Naturally; inherently. Refers to one's traits. I don't think she is a vicious person by nature—growing up in an abusive household just took a toll on her.

debt to nature

A euphemism for death. When I'm ready to pay my debt to nature, I hope I'm surrounded by my family.

answer the call of nature

informal To urinate or defecate. Jim is off answering the call of nature. Wait a minute, I have to go answer the call of nature.

call of nature

Euph. the need to go to the lavatory. Stop the car here! I have to answer the call of nature. There was no break in the agenda, not even for the call of nature.

See also: call, nature, of

Nature abhors a vacuum.

Prov. If there is a gap, something will fill it. Jill: As soon as the beggar who used to work that corner left, another one showed up. Jane: Nature abhors a vacuum.

nature stop

Fig. a stop to use the toilet, especially during road travel. I think I need a nature stop when it's convenient. I left my comb back at the last nature stop.

*second nature to someone

easy and natural for someone. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) Swimming is second nature to Jane. Flying a helicopter is no problem for Bob. It's become second nature to him.

Self-preservation is the first law of nature.

Prov. Every living thing will fight to survive.; It is natural to think of yourself first. When foe's best friend was arrested, Joe pretended not to know him. "Perhaps it wasn't very loyal of me," he thought, "but self-preservation is the first law of nature."

let nature take its course

to allow something to happen naturally Normally, the Parks Department lets nature take its course and doesn't replace dead trees, but this situation is different.

(that's) the nature of the beast

this is the basic character of something The place is wild and beautiful and also dangerous – that's the nature of the beast. People make progress but do not reach perfection because imperfection is the nature of the beast.

answer the call of nature

(humorous)

to urinate (= pass liquid from the body) I had to go into the woods to answer the call of nature.

Mother Nature

the force that controls the natural world Look at those trees blown down in the storm. Just shows you what Mother Nature can do when she gets angry.

be (in) the nature of the beast

if something unpleasant is in the nature of the beast, it cannot be avoided because it is part of the character of something Relationships always involve some degree of dependence. It's in the nature of the beast.

let nature take its course

to allow someone or something to live or die naturally By this stage, her illness was so severe that the doctors agreed to let nature take its course rather than prolong her suffering. We plant the seeds in springtime and then just let nature take its course.

call of nature

Need to urinate or defecate, as in He left to answer the call of nature. This euphemism may be dying out. [Mid-1800s]

See also: call, nature, of

good nature

A cheerful, obliging disposition, as in Ted is known for his good nature-he's always willing to help. [Mid-1400s]

second nature

A habit or mode of behavior so long practiced that it seems innate, as in Driving in heavy traffic is second nature to Chris. This expression is a shortened form of an ancient proverb, Custom (or usage) is a second nature, first recorded in 1390. It alludes to the fact that very frequently repeating something makes it seem completely natural or inborn.

mother nature(’s)

n. marijuana. (Drugs.) No chemicals for me. I find that mother nature is everything I need.

mother nature

verb

See mother nature’s

nature’s call

and call of nature

n. the feeling of a need to go to the toilet. I think I feel nature’s call coming on.

call of nature

verb

See nature’s call

See also: call, nature, of

nature stop

n. a stop to use the toilet, especially during road travel. (Euphemistic.) I think I need a nature stop when it’s convenient.

call of nature

A need to urinate or defecate. Often used with answer: He left the room to answer the call of nature.

See also: call, nature, of

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Silviu	-	Romanian
Brigham	BRIG-əm	English (Rare)
Eunice	['ju:nis]
Jaywant	-	Indian, Marathi
Chryseis	-	Greek Mythology
Alboin	-	Ancient Germanic