nature studyn.
/ˈneɪtʃə ˌstʌdi/, U.S. /ˈneɪtʃər ˌstədi/ΚΠ
1869 H. Dircks (title) Nature-study; or, the art of attaining those excellencies in poetry and eloquence which are mainly dependent on the manifold influences of universal nature.
1873 Overland Monthly Nov. 477/2 Mr. Marple..has in his studio the best Nature studies he ever made.
2. The study of plants, animals, natural phenomena, etc., now usually as carried out by amateurs, or by younger children in schools; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > study > [noun] > natural history
natural science?a1425
natural story?a1475
physiology1564
natural history1662
naturalizing1832
nature study1873
1873 Scribner's Monthly Feb. 519 We have examined with unusual pleasure the series of colored card-pictures devised by one of the superintendents of our city schools for the initiation of young children into the methods of systematic nature study.
1878 Harper's Mag. June 130/1 In our public schools we..find a higher appreciation of the benefits to be derived from early nature studies than in the private elementary or home schools of the country.
1897 J. H. Comstock (title) Insect life: an introduction to nature-study and a guide for teachers, students and others.
1953 G. Bell Black Marigolds i. 19 Bugs got his nature study prize as expected.
1972 J. Wilson Hide & Seek ii. 34 Alice taught Mary how to read and how to add up..and they did nature study and learnt about cavemen.
1998 Town & Country Planning 67 190/2 The formal education system..has encouraged better understanding of countryside issues through nature studies, geography field courses and environmental studies programmes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1869