I.the nature, natural qualities, powers, constitution, condition, of a person or thing, Od., Hdt., attic
2.like φυή, form, stature, ἢ νόον ἤ τοι φύσιν either in mind or outward form, Pind.; τὸν δὲ Λάϊον, φύσιν τίν᾽ εἶχε, φράζε Soph.; τὴν ἐμὴν ἰδὼν φύσιν Ar.
3.of the mind, one's nature, natural bent, powers, character, Soph., etc.
4.often periphr., πέτρου φύσιν σύ γ᾽ ὀργάνειας, i. e. would'st provoke a stone, id=Soph.; ἡ φ. αὐτοῦ for αὐτός, Plat.
II.nature, i. e. the order or law of nature, κατὰ φύσιν πεφυκέναι to be made so by nature, naturally, Hdt., etc.;—opp. to παρὰ φύσιν, Eur., Thuc.; so, προδότης ἐκ φύσεως a traitor by nature, Aeschin.:—so, in dat. φύσει, by nature, naturally, Ar., etc.:—f4usin 24exei, c. inf., it is natural that . . , Hdt., Plat.
III.nature, universe, Plat., Arist.
IV.as a concrete term, creatures, animals (cf. φύστις), θνητὴ φ. man kind, Soph.; πόντου εἰναλία φ. the creatures of the sea, id=Soph.; θήλεια φ. woman- kind, Xen.; οἱ τοιαῦται φύσεις such creatures as these, Isocr.
VI.sex, Soph., Thuc.
