Adjacent Words

Natural definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

NATURAL, a. [to be born or produced]
1. Pertaining to nature; produced or effected by nature, or by the laws of growth, formation or motion impressed on bodies or beings by divine power. Thus we speak of the natural growth of animals or plants; the natural motion of a gravitating body; natural strength or disposition; the natural heat of the body; natural color; natural beauty. In this sense, natural is opposed to artificial or acquired.
2. According to the stated course of things. Poverty and shame are the natural consequences of certain vices.
3. Not forced; not far fetched; such as is dictated by nature. The gestures of the orator are natural.
4. According to the life; as a natural representation of the face.
5. Consonant to nature.
Fire and warmth go together, and so seem to carry with them as natural an evidence as self-evident truths themselves.
6. Derived from nature, as opposed to habitual. The love of pleasure is natural ; the love of study is usually habitual or acquired.
7. Discoverable by reason; not revealed; as natural religion.
8. Produced or coming in the ordinary course of things, or the progress or animals and vegetables; as a natural death; opposed to violent or premature.
9. Tender; affectionate by nature.
10. Unaffected; unassumed; according to truth and reality.
What can be more natural than the circumstances of the behavior of those women who had lost heir husbands on this fatal day?
11. Illegitimate; born out of wedlock; as a natural son.
12. Native; vernacular; as ones natural language.
13. Derived from the study of the works or nature; as natural knowledge.
14. A natural note, in music, is that which is according to the usual order of the scale; opposed to flat and sharp notes, which are called artificial.
Natural history, in its most extensive sense, is the description of whatever is created, or of the whole universe, including the heavens and the earth, and all the productions of the earth. But more generally, natural history is limited to a description of the earth and its productions, including zoology, botany, geology, mineralogy, meteorology, _ c.
Natural philosophy, the science of material natural bodies, of their properties, powers and motions. It is distinguished from intellectual and moral philosophy, which respect the mind or understanding of man and the qualities of actions. Natural philosophy comprehends mechanics, hydrostatics, optics, astronomy, chimistry, magnetism, eletricity, galvanism, _ c.
NATURAL, n.
1. An idiot; one born without the usual powers of reason or understanding. This is probably elliptical for natural fool.
2. A native; an original inhabitant.
3. Gift of nature; natural quality.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature; "a very natural development"; "our natural environment"; "natural science"; "natural resources"; "natural cliffs"; "natural phenomena" [ant: unnatural]
2: existing in or produced by nature; not artificial or imitation; "a natural pearl"; "natural gas"; "natural silk"; "natural blonde hair"; "a natural sweetener"; "natural fertilizers" [ant: artificial, unreal]
3: existing in or in conformity with nature or the observable world; neither supernatural nor magical; "a perfectly natural explanation" [ant: supernatural]
4: functioning or occurring in a normal way; lacking abnormalities or deficiencies; "it's the natural thing to happen"; "natural immunity"; "a grandparent's natural affection for a grandchild"
5: (of a musical note) being neither raised nor lowered by one chromatic semitone; "a natural scale"; "B natural" [ant: flat, sharp]
6: unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct; "a cat's natural aversion to water"; "offering to help was as instinctive as breathing" [syn: natural, instinctive]
7: (used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes; "natural yogurt"; "natural produce"; "raw wool"; "raw sugar"; "bales of rude cotton" [syn: natural, raw, rude]
8: related by blood; not adopted
9: being talented through inherited qualities; "a natural leader"; "a born musician"; "an innate talent" [syn: natural, born, innate]
10: free from artificiality; "a lifelike pose"; "a natural reaction" [syn: lifelike, natural] n
1: someone regarded as certain to succeed; "he's a natural for the job"
2: a notation cancelling a previous sharp or flat [syn: natural, cancel]
3: (craps) a first roll of 7 or 11 that immediately wins the stake

Merriam Webster's

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French naturel, from Latin naturalis of nature, from natura nature Date: 14th century 1. based on an inherent sense of right and wrong <natural justice> 2. a. being in accordance with or determined by nature b. having or constituting a classification based on features existing in nature 3. a. (1) begotten as distinguished from adopted; also legitimate (2) being a relation by actual consanguinity as distinguished from adoption <natural parents> b. illegitimate <a natural child> 4. having an essential relation with someone or something ; following from the nature of the one in question <his guilt is a natural deduction from the evidence> 5. implanted or being as if implanted by nature ; seemingly inborn <a natural talent for art> 6. of or relating to nature as an object of study and research 7. having a specified character by nature <a natural athlete> 8. a. occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature ; not marvelous or supernatural <natural causes> b. formulated by human reason alone rather than revelation <natural religion> <natural rights> c. having a normal or usual character <events followed their natural course> 9. possessing or exhibiting the higher qualities (as kindliness and affection) of human nature <a noble…brother…ever most kind and natural — Shakespeare> 10. a. growing without human care; also not cultivated <natural prairie unbroken by the plow> b. existing in or produced by nature ; not artificial <natural turf> <natural curiosities> c. relating to or being natural food 11. a. being in a state of nature without spiritual enlightenment ; unregenerate <natural man> b. living in or as if in a state of nature untouched by the influences of civilization and society 12. a. having a physical or real existence as contrasted with one that is spiritual, intellectual, or fictitious <a corporation is a legal but not a natural person> b. of, relating to, or operating in the physical as opposed to the spiritual world <natural laws describe phenomena of the physical universe> 13. a. closely resembling an original ; true to nature b. marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality, affectation, or constraint c. having a form or appearance found in nature 14. a. having neither flats nor sharps <the natural scale of C major> b. being neither sharp nor flat c. having the pitch modified by the natural sign 15. of an off-white or beige color • naturalness noun Synonyms: natural, ingenuous, naive, unsophisticated, artless mean free from pretension or calculation. natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world <her unaffected, natural manner>. ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions <the ingenuous enthusiasm of children>. naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence <politically naive>. unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness <unsophisticated adolescents>. artless suggests a naturalness resulting from unawareness of the effect one is producing on others <artless charm>. Synonym: see in addition regular. II. noun Date: 1533 1. one born without the usual powers of reason and understanding 2. a. a sign ? placed on any degree of the musical staff to nullify the effect of a preceding sharp or flat b. a note or tone affected by the natural sign 3. a result or combination that immediately wins the stake in a game; specifically a throw of 7 or 11 on the first cast in craps 4. a. one having natural skills, talents, or abilities b. something that is likely to become an immediate success c. one that is obviously suitable for a specific purpose 5. Afro

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. & n. --adj. 1 a existing in or caused by nature; not artificial (natural landscape). b uncultivated; wild (existing in its natural state). 2 in the course of nature; not exceptional or miraculous (died of natural causes; a natural occurrence). 3 (of human nature etc.) not surprising; to be expected (natural for her to be upset). 4 a (of a person or a person's behaviour) unaffected, easy, spontaneous. b (foll. by to) spontaneous, easy (friendliness is natural to him). 5 a (of qualities etc.) inherent; innate (a natural talent for music). b (of a person) having such qualities (a natural linguist). 6 not disguised or altered (as by make-up etc.). 7 lifelike; as if in nature (the portrait looked very natural). 8 likely by its or their nature to be such (natural enemies; the natural antithesis). 9 having a physical existence as opposed to what is spiritual, intellectual, etc. (the natural world). 10 a related by nature, out of wedlock, esp. in a specified manner (her natural son). b illegitimate (a natural child). 11 based on the innate moral sense; instinctive (natural justice). 12 Mus. a (of a note) not sharpened or flattened (B natural). b (of a scale) not containing any sharps or flats. 13 not enlightened or communicated by revelation (the natural man). --n. 1 colloq. (usu. foll. by for) a person or thing naturally suitable, adept, expert, etc. (a natural for the championship). 2 archaic a person mentally deficient from birth. 3 Mus. a a sign (****) denoting a return to natural pitch after a sharp or a flat. b a natural note. c a white key on a piano. 4 a Cards a hand making 21 in the first deal in pontoon. b a throw of 7 or 11 at craps. 5 a pale fawn colour. Phrases and idioms: natural-born having a character or position by birth. natural childbirth Med. childbirth with minimal medical or technological intervention. natural classification a scientific classification according to natural features. natural death death by age or disease, not by accident, poison, violence, etc. natural food food without preservatives etc. natural gas an inflammable mainly methane gas found in the earth's crust, not manufactured. natural historian a writer or expert on natural history. natural history 1 the study of animals or plants esp. as set forth for popular use. 2 an aggregate of the facts concerning the flora and fauna etc. of a particular place or class (a natural history of the Isle of Wight). natural key (or scale) Mus. a key or scale having no sharps or flats, i.e. C major and A minor. natural language a language that has developed naturally. natural law 1 Philos. unchanging moral principles common to all people by virtue of their nature as human beings. 2 a correct statement of an invariable sequence between specified conditions and a specified phenomenon. 3 the laws of nature; regularity in nature (where they saw chance, we see natural law). natural life the duration of one's life on earth. natural logarithm see LOGARITHM. natural magic magic involving the supposed invocation of impersonal spirits. natural note Mus. a note that is neither sharp nor flat. natural numbers the integers 1, 2, 3, etc. natural philosopher archaic a physicist. natural philosophy archaic physics. natural religion a religion based on reason (opp. revealed religion); deism. natural resources materials or conditions occurring in nature and capable of economic exploitation. natural science the sciences used in the study of the physical world, e.g. physics, chemistry, geology, biology, botany. natural selection the Darwinian theory of the survival and propagation of organisms best adapted to their environment. natural theology the knowledge of God as gained by the light of natural reason. natural uranium unenriched uranium. natural virtues Philos. justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude. natural year the time taken by one revolution of the earth round the sun, 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes. Derivatives: naturalness n. Etymology: ME f. OF naturel f. L naturalis (as NATURE)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Natural Nat"u*ral (?; 135), a. [OE. naturel, F. naturel, fr. L. naturalis, fr. natura. See Nature.] 1. Fixed or determined by nature; pertaining to the constitution of a thing; belonging to native character; according to nature; essential; characteristic; not artifical, foreign, assumed, put on, or acquired; as, the natural growth of animals or plants; the natural motion of a gravitating body; natural strength or disposition; the natural heat of the body; natural color. With strong natural sense, and rare force of will. --Macaulay. 2. Conformed to the order, laws, or actual facts, of nature; consonant to the methods of nature; according to the stated course of things, or in accordance with the laws which govern events, feelings, etc.; not exceptional or violent; legitimate; normal; regular; as, the natural consequence of crime; a natural death. What can be more natural than the circumstances in the behavior of those women who had lost their husbands on this fatal day? --Addison. 3. Having to do with existing system to things; dealing with, or derived from, the creation, or the world of matter and mind, as known by man; within the scope of human reason or experience; not supernatural; as, a natural law; natural science; history, theology. I call that natural religion which men might know . . . by the mere principles of reason, improved by consideration and experience, without the help of revelation. --Bp. Wilkins. 4. Conformed to truth or reality; as: (a) Springing from true sentiment; not artifical or exaggerated; -- said of action, delivery, etc.; as, a natural gesture, tone, etc. (b) Resembling the object imitated; true to nature; according to the life; -- said of anything copied or imitated; as, a portrait is natural. 5. Having the character or sentiments properly belonging to one's position; not unnatural in feelings. To leave his wife, to leave his babes, . . . He wants the natural touch. --Shak. 6. Connected by the ties of consanguinity. ``Natural friends.'' --J. H. Newman. 7. Begotten without the sanction of law; born out of wedlock; illegitimate; bastard; as, a natural child. 8. Of or pertaining to the lower or animal nature, as contrasted with the higher or moral powers, or that which is spiritual; being in a state of nature; unregenerate. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. --1 Cor. ii. 14. 9. (Math.) Belonging to, to be taken in, or referred to, some system, in which the base is 1; -- said or certain functions or numbers; as, natural numbers, those commencing at 1; natural sines, cosines, etc., those taken in arcs whose radii are 1.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Natural Nat"u*ral (?; 135), n. 1. A native; an aboriginal. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh. 2. pl. Natural gifts, impulses, etc. [Obs.] --Fuller. 3. One born without the usual powers of reason or understanding; an idiot. ``The minds of naturals.'' --Locke. 4. (Mus.) A character [[natural]] used to contradict, or to remove the effect of, a sharp or flat which has preceded it, and to restore the unaltered note.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(naturals) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. If you say that it is natural for someone to act in a particular way or for something to happen in that way, you mean that it is reasonable in the circumstances. It is only natural for youngsters to crave the excitement of driving a fast car... A period of depression can be a perfectly natural response to certain aspects of life. = normal ? unnatural, unusual ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf/that 2. Natural behaviour is shared by all people or all animals of a particular type and has not been learned. ...the insect's natural instinct to feed... Anger is the natural reaction we experience when we feel threatened or frustrated. ADJ 3. Someone with a natural ability or skill was born with that ability and did not have to learn it. She has a natural ability to understand the motives of others... He had a natural flair for business. = instinctive ADJ: usu ADJ n 4. If you say that someone is a natural, you mean that they do something very well and very easily. He's a natural with any kind of engine... She proved to be a natural on camera. N-COUNT: usu a N in sing 5. If someone's behaviour is natural, they appear to be relaxed and are not trying to hide anything. Bethan's sister was as friendly and natural as the rest of the family... ? forced ADJ • naturally For pictures of people behaving naturally, not posing for the camera, it is essential to shoot unnoticed... She is magnificent at making you feel you can talk quite naturally to her. ADV: ADV after v • naturalness The critics praised the reality of the scenery and the naturalness of the acting. N-UNCOUNT 6. Natural things exist or occur in nature and are not made or caused by people. It has called the typhoon the worst natural disaster in South Korea in many years... The gigantic natural harbour of Poole is a haven for boats. ? artificial, man-made ADJ: ADJ n • naturally Nitrates are chemicals that occur naturally in water and the soil... ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj 7. If someone dies of or from natural causes, they die because they are ill or old rather than because of an accident or violence. According to the Home Office, your brother died of natural causes... PHRASE: usu prep PHR

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. a. 1. Of nature. 2. Original, indigenous, native. 3. Essential, characteristic, native. 4. Regular, normal, legitimate, in the course of nature, consistent with nature, conformable to nature. 5. Affectionate, kind. 6. Unaffected, real, genuine, simple, ingenuous, artless, spontaneous. 7. Unregenerate. 8. Life-like. 9. Illegitimate, bastard. II. n. Fool, simpleton, idiot.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

A mistress, a child; also an idiot. A natural son or daughter; a love or merry-begotten child, a bastard.

Moby Thesaurus

Afro, Attic, Bohemian, Ciceronian, Spartan, accepted, accidental, actual, affable, agrarian, alien, ament, appropriate, arcadian, artist, artless, ascetic, atavistic, austere, authentic, automatic, bald, bare, baseborn, basic, bastard, bodily, bona fide, born, born fool, breathing, breve, bucolic, candid, card-carrying, case, cast, casual, character, characteristic, chaste, child prodigy, cinch, classic, clear, clot, coeval, coif, coiffure, cold wave, common, commonplace, congenital, congenital idiot, conk, connatal, connate, connatural, consequent, consistent, consonant, constitutional, cordial, course, crackpot, crank, crap, craps, cretin, crotchet, customary, defective, degage, demisemiquaver, dinkum, direct, distinctive, distinguishing, dominant, dominant note, double whole note, dry, dull, easy, easygoing, eccentric, eighth note, elegant, enharmonic, enharmonic note, everyday, exemplary, expected, faithful, familiar, fanatic, fatherless, finished, fitting, flat, folksy, following the letter, fool, frank, free and easy, fundamental, general, genetic, genius, genuine, gifted child, gifted person, golem, good, graceful, gracile, gracious, guileless, habitual, haircut, hairdo, hairstyle, half note, half-wit, haymish, headdress, health, hemidemisemiquaver, hereditary, hermit, hobo, home permanent, homely, homespun, homey, honest, honest-to-God, idiot, ignorant, illegitimate, imbecile, impulsive, in the blood, in the raw, inartificial, inborn, inbred, incarnate, indigenous, informal, ingenuous, ingrained, inherent, inherited, innate, innocent, instinctive, instinctual, intellectual genius, intellectual prodigy, involuntary, irregular, juggins, kook, lawful, lean, legitimate, libidinal, lifelike, limpid, literal, living, logical, lone wolf, loner, loose, lucid, man of parts, matter-of-fact, maverick, mental genius, mental giant, meshuggenah, minim, misbegotten, mongoloid idiot, moron, musical note, naive, native, native to, natural idiot, natural to, natural-born fool, naturalistic, naturelike, naturistic, neat, net, nick, nonconformist, normal, note, nut, odd fellow, oddball, oddity, offhand, offhanded, open, orderly, ordinary, organic, original, outsider, pariah, pastoral, patent note, pellucid, permanent, permanent wave, perspicuous, physical, plain, plain-speaking, plain-spoken, polished, prevalent, primal, primitive, pristine, process, prodigy, proper, prosaic, prosing, prosy, provincial, pure, quarter note, quaver, queer duck, queer fish, queer specimen, quintessential, rara avis, real, realistic, reasonable, refined, regular, relaxed, report, responding note, restrained, rightful, roll, round, routine, rural, rustic, sample, screwball, semibreve, semiquaver, sensible, severe, shaped note, sharp, shoo-in, shot, simon-pure, simp, simple, simple-speaking, simplehearted, simpleton, sincere, sixteenth note, sixty-fourth note, sober, sociable, solitary, spare, speaking, spiccato, spontaneous, spurious, staccato, standard, stark, sterling, straight, straightforward, subliminal, supposititious, sure bet, sure success, sure thing, sure-enough, sustained note, talent, tasteful, temperamental, tercet, terse, thirty-second note, throw, to the life, tone, tramp, trim, triplet, true, true to form, true to life, true to nature, true to reality, true to type, typal, type, typic, typical, unacquired, unadorned, unadulterated, unaffected, unartificial, unassumed, unassuming, unceremonious, uncolored, unconcocted, unconscious, unconstrained, unconventional, uncopied, uncounterfeited, uncultivated, understandable, undesigning, undisguised, undisguising, undissembling, undissimulating, undistorted, undomesticated, unembarrassed, unembellished, unexaggerated, unexceptional, unfabricated, unfanciful, unfeigned, unfeigning, unfictitious, unflattering, unimaginative, unimagined, unimitated, uninvented, unlabored, unlearned, unofficial, unpoetical, unpremeditated, unpretended, unpretending, unpretentious, unqualified, unromantic, unschooled, unsimulated, unsophisticated, unspecious, unspoiled, unstudied, unsullied, unsynthetic, untouched, untutored, unvarnished, unworldly, usual, verbal, verbatim, veridical, verisimilar, virgin, virginal, wave, whole note, winner, word-for-word, zany, zealot