| nature | 1. The existing system of things; the world of matter, or of matter and mind; the creation; the universe. "But looks through nature up to nature's God." (Pope) "Nature has caprices which art can not imitate." (Macaulay) 2. The personified sum and order of causes and effects; the powers which produce existing phenomena, whether in the total or in detail; the agencies which carry on the processes of creation or of being; often conceived of as a single and separate entity, embodying the total of all finite agencies and forces as disconnected from a creating or ordering intelligence. "I oft admire How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit Such disproportions." (Milton) 3. The established or regular course of things; usual order of events; connection of cause and effect. 4. Conformity to that which is natural, as distinguished from that which is artifical, or forced, or remote from actual experience. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." (Shak) 5. The sum of qualities and attributes which make a person or thing what it is, as distinct from others; native character; inherent or essential qualities or attributes; peculiar constitution or quality of being. "Thou, therefore, whom thou only canst redeem, Their nature also to thy nature join, And be thyself man among men on earth." (Milton) 6. Hence: Kind, sort; character; quality. "A dispute of this nature caused mischief." (Dryden) 7. Physical constitution or existence; the vital powers; the natural life. "My days of nature." "Oppressed nature sleeps." (Shak) 8. Natural affection or reverence. "Have we not seen The murdering son ascend his parent's bed, Through violated nature foce his way?" (Pope) 9. Constitution or quality of mind or character. "A born devil, on whose nature Nurture can never stick." (Shak) "That reverence which is due to a superior nature." (Addison) Good nature, Ill nature. See under Good and Ill. In a state of nature. Naked as when born; nude. In a condition of sin; unregenerate. Untamed; uncvilized. Nature printng, a process of printing from metallic or other plates which have received an impression, as by heavy pressure, of an object such as a leaf, lace, or the like. Nature worship, the worship of the personified powers of nature. To pay the debt of nature, to die. Origin: F, fr. L. Natura, fr. Natus born, produced, p.p. Of nasci to be born. See Nation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| nature-nurture issue | A controversy concerning the relative importance of heredity (nature) and environment (nurture) in various aspects of individual development, such as intelligence, personality, or mental illness. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adolescent medicine | A branch of medicine pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases occurring during the period beginning with puberty until the cessation of somatic growth. (12 Dec 1998) |
| aerospace medicine | <study> A field of medicine which specialises in the effects of atmospheric and space flight on human physical and psychological well-being. (09 Oct 1997) |
| alternative medicine | A catch-all phrase for a long list of treatments or medicinal systems including traditional systems such as Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, various herbals and other miscellaneous treatments that have not been accepted by the mainstream, or Western, medical establishment. Alternative medicine is also referred to as complementary medicine (see). The designation alternative medicine is not equivalent to holistic medicine, which is a more narrow term. See: Holistic Medicine. (09 Oct 1997) |
| aviation medicine | The study and practice of medicine as it applies to physiologic problems peculiar to aviation. Synonym: aeromedicine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| behavioural medicine | The interdisciplinary field concerned with the development and integration of behavioural and biomedical science, knowledge, and techniques relevant to health and illness and the application of this knowledge and these techniques to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| bibliography of medicine | A list of works, documents, and other publications on medical subjects and topics of interest to the field of medicine. (12 Dec 1998) |
| geriatric medicine | <specialty> A specialty of medicine that is concerned with the disease and health problems of older people, usually those over 65 years of age. Considered a subspecialty of internal medicine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| veterinary medicine | The medical science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in animals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| patent medicine | A medicine, usually originally patented, advertised to the public. (05 Mar 2000) |
| religion and medicine | The interrelationship of medicine and religion. (12 Dec 1998) |
| medicine | A scientifically-based discipline dedicated to the prevention and treatment of disease and injury. A compound used to treat disease, injury or pain. (09 Oct 1997) |
| medicine, african traditional | A system of traditional medicine which is based on the beliefs and practices of the african peoples. It includes treatment by medicinal plants and other materia medica as well as by the ministrations of diviners, medicine men, witch doctors, and sorcerers. (12 Dec 1998) |
| medicine, ayurvedic | The traditional hindu system of medicine which is based on customs, beliefs, and practices of the hindu culture. Ayurveda means "the science of life": veda - science, ayur - life. (12 Dec 1998) |