Lauren Quaal
ENG 101.8; Stahl
Assignment 1- Etymology
September 26, 2010
Etymology of Natural
The word natural is derived several times from several different words throughout time. The
English word natural is farthest derived from several different Latin terms which were each taken from
one another. The earliest is the term nascere, developed into naci meaning to be born or to come into
existence. From naci came natus, meaning to be born; age or years; children. Natus produced the word
natura, meaning of nature; birth; character. From there, natura was made into naturalis defined as
natural, normal, and natural scientist. The Latin word naturalis formed into the Old French word natural,
which then produced and formed into the English word ‘natural’.
There are a couple dozen different definitions and uses for the word natural. The most accurate
definitions are: Something that develops on its own, untouched and unaffected by humans and artificial
circumstances; relating to something that developed and exists by itself in an ecosystem; of or relating
to nature; for something to go as expected; a color that is Caucasian tinted; a reaction or situation that
is not forced, which simply occurs. This word could contemporarily be used in a variety of ways. Most
often it is used when describing something that has grown from the earth and exists within nature. It
also comes into use when describing behaviors, actions, and situations that are learned responses and
social norms in a culture. Example: When one sneezes, it becomes natural to respond with a “Bless you.”
The word natural can also be used to describe a color which is similar to the skin of many Caucasians, as
well as describing notes in reading music that are lacking sharp or flat symbols, indicating which note the
musician should play. For me the word natural is describing something that has not been altered, but
comes fluently without force or influence from outside powers.
Works Cited
“Etymology of the English Word Natural”. myetymology.com. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.
"Natural, Define Natural at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com. Find the Meanings and
Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.
"Natural - Wiktionary." Wiktionary, the Free Dictionary. 29 Aug. 2010. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.