nature

Where does the word "nature" come from? It comes from Latin nasci, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1200s).

Nature’s story begins in Latin: nasci meant “to be born.” The root of 'nation', 'native' and 'natal'. Within Latin, it grew into natura by ancient. Birth, character, the essential qualities of a thing, from nasci (to be born). From there it passed into Old French as nature by medieval. Carried into French for the physical world and inherent character. It reached English by 1200s as nature. Settled as the English word for the physical world and inherent qualities. Today, nature means the physical world, or the inherent qualities and character of something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient nasci "to be born", the root of 'nation', 'native' and 'natal'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient natura "birth, essential character", birth, character, the essential qualities of a thing, from nasci (to be born).
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval nature "the physical world, or inherent character", carried into French for the physical world and inherent character.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1200s nature "the physical world, or the inherent qualities of something", settled as the English word for the physical world and inherent qualities.