second nature

second nature

n.

An acquired behavior or trait that is so long practiced as to seem innate.

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[From the proverb Habit is second nature.]

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second nature

n

a habit, characteristic, etc., not innate but so long practised or acquired as to seem so

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second nature - Originally Latin secundum naturam, "according to nature," it is from Aristotelian philosophy and contrasts with phenomena that are super naturam ("above nature," such as God's grace), extra naturam ("outside nature"), supra naturam ("beyond nature," such as miracles), or contra naturam ("against nature").

See also related terms for phenomena.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

second nature - acquired behavior that is practiced so long it seems innate habit, use - (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; "owls have nocturnal habits"; "she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair"; "long use had hardened him to it"

Translations

second nature n to be second nature to sb → essere naturale per qn
it was second nature for him to help his friends → gli veniva naturale aiutare gli amici