nasc-, nat-

1. Concerning something that has been created by the earth or world, and not produced by humans: Earthquakes are considered to be natural catastrophes.
2. Pertaining to the circumstances environing a person or something: Mosquitoes have a natural enemy and that is the dragonfly!
3. Regarding a quality or ability which is innate in an individual; inborn: Mary had the natural talent of becoming a wonderful singer!
4. In music, a note that is neither sharped nor flatted: The natural sign was placed in front of the printed musical notation in Jane's piano music indicating that the tone was not to be raised or lowered.

A reference to the close imitation of or adherence to the physical world: Nancy found some naturalesque designs of beautiful butterflies which she hung in her bedroom at home.

1. A style and theory in art and literature that declares that things and people should be presented in a realistic manner; realism: Naturalism evolved as a belief in France in the 19th century when artists and writers endeavoured to depict things in a factual way, and not to make things look better than they were.
2. The philosophy that everything occurs from logical causes, whereas spiritual or supernatural reasons are ruled out; authenticity: Atheists, for example, believe in naturalism and that everything that exists is either physically or material.

1. An individual who practises or supports realism: In the story that Susan was reading, the protagonist was both a painter and a naturalist who depicted the truth in his paintings.
2. A student of the history of nature; wildlife expert: Mr. Smith, Jack's biology teacher, was a naturalist and showed his students many aspects of what nature could provide.

1. The process of granting citizenship: The application for naturalisation was to be completed along with all the necessary documents before being presented to the officials.
2. The means of becoming or the condition of a living thing being successfully introduced into the wild, including growth and development: If an otherwise non-native plant is put into a new environment, and it thrives without human help, the naturalisation process begins.

1. To grant citizenship: Virginia was new to Germany and was naturalized because she was married to a German.
2. To make more lifelike: To naturalize is also to make less artificial or free from conventionality.
3. To transform a piece of unclaimed land or adapt a wild plant to a new environment: Lynn wanted to have her poppy seeds grow and naturalize them into the new surroundings, but she wasn't lucky!
4. To adopt a custom into a new country: When Monika moved to America, she introduced and naturalized the tradition of the typical German Christmas into her family life.

1. Fundamentally by nature: Some people believe that girls are naturally more polite and less rough than boys.
2. Referring to how someone does something without any doubt; certainly: He said he would naturally go to the meeting although he was quite tired.
3. Regarding how someone behaves in an unaffected way: Peggy tried to act naturally in the new situation, but it was quite difficult.

1. The condition of being open and frank: unaffected: Jack really liked Ivy because her naturalness was so evident in her actions, behavior, and the way she talked.
2. The conformance with truth or reality: The naturalness of Linda's conduct and laughter was totally without exaggeration or artificiality.

Tom had to accept the naturalness of the death of his father.

Translation: "First to learn the nature of things."

Another version is "Above all to find out the way things are." A motto of the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

1. The natural world as it exists without human beings or civilization: The story that Harry was reading was about what nature was like before people decided to change and modify it to a large extent.
2. The elements of the natural world: Jill and her family went on camping vacations to see and enjoy the great variety and beauties of nature, such as the mountains, trees, animals, and rivers.
3. The basic character of something: The police didn't make any comments on the nature of the accident being investigated.
4. The processes that create and control the phenomena of the material world: Alfred learned in his biology class at school how the balance of nature functioned.

A type of alternative medicine: Naturopath is based on the principle that illnesses can be treated, cured, or prevented without using any drugs or surgery, but by the use of water, herbs, and air, along with therapy using physical means.

A drugless system of therapy: Naturopathy makes use of physical forces such as air, light, water, heat, massage, etc. and avoids the use of surgery and some types of medication.

Concerning the first 28 days after the birth of a child; newborn: In the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital, preterm babies were under special observation because of neonatal disorders.

A newborn infant up to one month of age: Dr. Thompson referred to Jane's daughter as a neonate, but Jane only wanted to say a "tiny baby"!

A reference to the newborn.

Although the first 28 days of life comprise the usual period designating a "neonate" or "newborn", for statistical purposes, some have reckoned the period as applying to the first seven days.

The term "early neonatus" has been used to describe the first week of life.