Nature

en vi ron ment noun

\in- v -r (n)-m nt, - v (- )r(n)-\

1 : the circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded 2 a : the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival b : the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community 3 : the position or characteristic position of a linguistic element in a sequence 4 : a computer interface from which various tasks can be performed <a programming environment>
First Known Use of ENVIRONMENT
Examples of ENVIRONMENT 1827 1. 2. He grew up in a loving environment. We're trying to create a better business environment.

Related to ENVIRONMENT

Synonyms: animals were raised in a controlled clime, context, contexture, environs, ambient, atmosphere, climate, environment. 3. These medium, milieu, mise-en-scne, setting, surround, surroundings, terrain
4. Many plants are unable to survive in such a harsh environment. Heredity and environment are both important. Pollution is bad for the environment. 5. 6.

ecol o gy noun \i- k-l

plural ecologies

-j , e-\

sus tain able adj \s

1

- st -n -b l\

1 : a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship of organisms and their environments 2 : the totality or pattern of relations between organisms and their environment

: capable of being sustained 2 a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged <sustainable techniques> <sustainable agriculture> b : of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods

3 : human ecology 4 : an often delicate or intricate system or complex

<sustainable society>

First Known Use of SUSTAINABLE

circa 1727
Origin of ECOLOGY

German kologie, from ko- eco- + -logie -logy First Known Use: 1873

: the genetically controlled qualities of an organism {that part of the physical world that is removed from human

na ture noun \ n
1

-ch r\

habitation} 9 : natural scenery 7 a : humankind's original or natural condition

Examples of NATURE

a : the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : essence b : disposition, temperament {the set of qualities that makes a person, a group of people, or a thing different from others} 2 a : a creative and controlling force in the universe b : an inner force or the sum of such forces in an individual 3 : a kind or class usually distinguished by fundamental or essential characteristics {a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common} 4 : the physical constitution or drives of an organism; especially : an excretory organ or function used in phrases like the call of nature 5 : a spontaneous attitude (as of generosity) 6 : the external world in its entirety {that part of the physical world that is removed from human habitation} 7 a : humankind's original or natural condition

b : a simplified mode of life resembling this condition

1. 2. 3. 4. He devoted himself to the study of nature. That is a color not found in nature. Hunger is nature's way of telling you to eat. Gravity is one of the basic laws of nature. The differences in their natures was easy to see.

: the genetically controlled qualities of an organism 9 5.

6. She's very competitive by nature. : natural scenery

Examples of NATURE Origin of NATURE 1. He devoted himself to the study of nature. Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin natura, from natus, past participle of nasci to 2. That is a color not found in nature. be born more at nation 3. Hunger is nature's way of telling you to eat. First Known Use: 14th century 4. Gravity is one of the basic laws of nature. 5. 6. The differences in their natures was easy to see. She's very competitive by nature.

Related to NATURE Synonyms: character, clay, colors, complexion, constitution, genius, personality, self, tone Origin of NATURE open, open air, outdoors, out-of-doors, wild, wildernessfrom natus, past participle of nasci to Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin natura, be born more at nation breed, class,Use: 14th century First Known description, feather, genre, ilk, kidney, kind, like, manner, nature, order, species, strain, stripe, type, variety, grain, temper, temperament being, essentiality, nature, quiddity, quintessence, soul, stuff, substance

All definitions from Merriam-Webster dictionary online : http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Nature...

(14)

is a transcendental term in a material mask wavers between the divine and the material.

(14)

(14)

stands at the end of a potentially infinite series of other terms that collapse into it, otherwise known as a metonymic list: fish, grass, mountain air, chimpanzees, love, soda water, freedom of choice, heterosexuality, free markets...Nature. (14) Occupies at least three places in symbolic language: 1. a mere empty placeholder for a host of other concepts. 2. it has the force of law, a norm against which deviation is measured. 3. is a Pandoras box, a word that encasulates a potentially infinite series of disparate fantasy objects. (14)

becomes an oblique way of talking about politics

(16)

could be considered either as a substance, as a squishy thing in itself, or as essence, as an abstract principle that transcends the material realm and even te realm of representation. (16)

Definitions given by Timothy Morton in Ecology Without Nature (page numbers cited)

Nature

Nature