An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The natural world as it exists without human beings or civilization.

Etymology (EN): M.E. natur(e), from O.Fr. nature from L. natura “the things at the outset, as it was when brought into existence; conditions of birth; essence, natural qualities,” from natus “born,” p.p. of nasci “to be born,” from PIE *gen- “to give birth, beget,” cognate with Pers. zâdan “to give birth,” as below.

Etymology (PE): Zâstâr, literally “birth,” from zâst past stem of [Dehxodâ] zâstan, variant of zâdan “to bring forth, give birth;” (Lâsgardi, Sorxeyi, Aftari) nestor “barren, sterile” (Mid.Pers. zâtan; Av. zan- “to bear, give birth to a child, be born,” infinitive zazāite, zāta- “born;” cf. Skt. janati “begets, bears;”
L. gignere “to beget,” nasci “to be born,” as above, PIE base *gen- “to give birth, beget”) + suffix -âr (forming verbal nouns as in raftâr, kerdâr, goftâr, didâr, jostâr, and so on; or forming accusative nouns, as in gereftâr, koštâr, etc.).