second nature
- an acquired habit or tendency in one's character that is so deeply ingrained as to appear automatic: Neatness is second nature to him.
Origin of second nature
Examples from the Web for second nature
Historical Examples
Telling lies is a fault in a boy, an art in a lover, an accomplishment in a bachelor, and second-nature in a married man.
A Guide to MenHelen Rowland
She struck more chords, her fingers finding the keys with the second-nature sureness, learned in her months of dreary practice.
Rough-HewnDorothy Canfield
second nature
- a habit, characteristic, etc, not innate but so long practised or acquired as to seem so
Word Origin and History for second nature
n.
late 14c., from Latin secundum naturam "according to nature" (Augustine, Macrobius, etc.), literally "following nature;" from medieval Aristotelian philosophy, contrasted to phenomena that were super naturam ("above nature," such as God's grace), extra naturam ("outside nature"), supra naturam ("beyond nature," such as miracles), contra naturam "against nature," etc.
Idioms and Phrases with second nature
second nature
A habit or mode of behavior so long practiced that it seems innate, as in Driving in heavy traffic is second nature to Chris. This expression is a shortened form of an ancient proverb, Custom (or usage) is a second nature, first recorded in 1390. It alludes to the fact that very frequently repeating something makes it seem completely natural or inborn.