[nat.u.ral] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L naturalis of nature, fr. natura nature] (14c) 1: based on an inherent sense of right and wrong "~ justice"
2. a: being in accordance with or determined by nature b: having or constituting a classification based on features existing in nature 3 a (1): begotten as distinguished from adopted; also: legitimate (2): being a relation by actual consanguinity as distinguished from adoption "~ parents" b: illegitimate "a ~ child"
4: having an essential relation with someone or something: following from the nature of the one in question "his guilt is a ~ deduction from the evidence"
5: implanted or being as if implanted by nature: seemingly inborn "a ~ talent for art"
6: of or relating to nature as an object of study and research 7: having a specified character by nature "a ~ athlete"
8. a: occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature: not marvelous or supernatural "~ causes" b: formulated by human reason alone rather than revelation "~ religion" "~ rights" c: having a normal or usual character "events followed their ~ course" 9: possessing or exhibiting the higher qualities (as kindliness and affection) of human nature "a noble ... brother ... ever most kind and ~ --Shak."
10. a: growing without human care; also: not cultivated "~ prairie unbroken by the plow" b: existing in or produced by nature: not artificial "~ turf" "~ curiosities" c: relating to or being natural food 11 a: being in a state of nature without spiritual enlightenment: unregenerate "~ man" b: living in or as if in a state of nature untouched by the influences of civilization and society 12 a: having a physical or real existence as contrasted with one that is spiritual, intellectual, or fictitious "a corporation is a legal but not a ~ person" b: of, relating to, or operating in the physical as opposed to the spiritual world "~ laws describe phenomena of the physical universe" 13 a: closely resembling an original: true to nature b: marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality, affectation, or constraint c: having a form or appearance found in nature 14 a: having neither flats nor sharps "the ~ scale of C major" b: being neither sharp nor flat c: having the pitch modified by the natural sign 15: of an off-white or beige color -- nat.u.ral.ness n syn natural, ingenuous, naive, unsophisticated, artless mean free from pretension or calculation. natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world "her unaffected, natural manner". ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions "the ingenuous enthusiasm of children". naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence "politically naive". unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness "unsophisticated adolescents". artless suggests a naturalness resulting from unawareness of the effect one is producing on others "artless charm". syn see in addition regular
[2]natural n (1533) 1: one born without the usual powers of reason and understanding
2. a: a sign placed on any degree of the musical staff to nullify the effect of a preceding sharp or flat b: a note or tone affected by the natural sign
3: a result or combination that immediately wins the stake in a game; specif: a throw of
7. or 11 on the first cast in craps
4. a: one having natural skills, talents, or abilities b: something that is likely to become an immediate success c: one that is obviously suitable for a specific purpose
5: afro