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| NOUN |
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| /ˈneɪtʃə/ |
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| 1 | U the physical world including all living things as well as the land and the seas 大自然；自然界 |
| an opportunity to enjoy the beauties of nature in Alaska 一次享受阿拉斯加大自然美景的机会 |
| Barone’ s interest was in nature, wildlife, and birds. 巴罗内的兴趣在大自然、野生动植物和鸟类上。 |
| | 1a | the forces that control the physical world and life itself 自然力 | | He’ s always loved pitting his skills against the forces of nature. 他总喜爱用自己的技能与大自然展开较量。 | |
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| 2 | C/U a basic quality or feature of something 本质；品质；特征 |
| +of It’ s the nature of plastic to melt under high temperatures. 在高温下会熔化是塑料的特性。 |
| They must understand the nature of our opposition to nuclear testing. 他们必须了解我们反对核试验的根本所在。 |
| by its (very) nature Medical records, by their very nature, contain sensitive information. 医疗记录就其本质而言含有敏感的信息。 |
| true nature (=real features or qualities) Dunston refused to reveal the true nature of her work. 真正特性；真正品质 |
| in nature The role of the Board is only advisory in nature. 董事会的作用实际上只是顾问性质的。 |
| | 2a | the basic character of a person or an animal 天性；性情；本性 | | The pony has a very gentle nature. 这匹小马性情很温和。 | | by nature Apes are curious by nature. 猿类天生好奇。 | | in sb’ s nature It isn’ t in my nature to be pushy or aggressive. 我生来个性就不强，冲劲也不够。 | | sb’ s better nature (=someone’ s kindness) If we can appeal to Charlotte’ s better nature (=persuade her to be kind) we can work out a compromise. 某人的善良天性 | |
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| 3 | singular a particular type or class of thing 类别；种类 |
| Rowney’ s behaviour was inappropriate for a meeting of this nature. 罗尼的行为举止对于这种会议是不得体的。 |
| in the nature of (=similar to) The consultation will be more in the nature of a public meeting than a formal enquiry. 类似…的；像…的 |
| PHRASES |
| - | in the nature of things
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| in the way that things usually happen |
| 通常；必然地 |
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| It is in the nature of things that categories will overlap. 各个类别通常会相互重叠。 |
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| - | let nature take its course
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| to allow something to develop without trying to influence it |
| 顺其自然 |
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| Perhaps we should just let nature take its course. 也许我们就应该顺其自然。 |
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| See also | | - call 2 | | - second nature | |
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