second nature



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.
See also: nature, second

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Coker['kəukə]
KirbyKUR-beeEnglish
Eliasə-LEE-əsh (Portuguese), e-LEE-ahs (German), E-lee-ahs (Finnish), i-LIE-əs (English), ee-LIE-əs (English)Portuguese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, English, Greek, Biblical Latin, Biblical Gr
SvĚTlana-Czech
Ferne[fɜ:n]
Jumanah-Arabic