Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NATURE, n. Also natur, -ir, -er (Ork. 1904 Dennison Sketches 26), -yr, naitur, naeter. Sc. forms and usages. [′netər]

1. As in Eng.Sc. 1825 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 73:
A' the warks o' ootward natur are symbolical o' our ain immortal souls.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xliv.:
It's nae i' the naitur' o' man to gang on year aifter year.Sh. 1906 T. P. Ollason Spindrift 53:
Anidder fower ooks o' a laek naeter wid fairleens hae her feenished.

2. Used attrib. = growing or obtained naturally without any artificial means. Deriv. natureness, n., of grass, etc.: richness, natural luxuriance (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.); of soil: fertility (Ib.).

Combs.: naitir-clover (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 117), -grass, -gerse, -girs (w.Sc., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Gregor; Abd. 1898 J. R. Imray Sandy Todd 56; ne.Sc., Ags. 1963), -hay (w.Sc., Rxb. 1825 Jam.), -widd (Gregor), clover, grass, etc., which grows wild and luxuriantly, without the aid of fertilisers; nature grund, naturally fertile soil (w.Sc. 1825 Jam.); natyr-woo, fine-textured wool (Kcd. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1963); wool plucked by hand, unshorn wool (Ib.).Sc. 1762 R. Forbes Journals (Craven 1886) 145:
The rapid Spey forms a pleasant Bottom, rich with Corns and nature-Grass.Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 291:
When they see a field carpeted with rich grasses, or those that grow luxuriant, they say that field produces nature grasses.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xlii.:
The bit o' naitur' girss at the burn-side.Ags. 1885 Brechin Advertiser (8 Dec.) 3:
Gude yellow or swad neeps an' nature hay.Kcd. 1956 Mearns Leader (7 Sept.):
He wid hike awa doon tae the haughie at the brig an' cut a gweed cole o' saft natir girse.