PREMATURE

premature, untimely

(adjective) uncommonly early or before the expected time; “illness led to his premature death”; “alcohol brought him to an untimely end”

premature, previous(p)

(adjective) too soon or too hasty; “our condemnation of him was a bit previous”; “a premature judgment”

premature

(adjective) born after a gestation period of less than the normal time; “a premature infant”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

premature (comparative more premature, superlative most premature)

occurring before a state of readiness or maturity has arrived

taking place earlier than anticipated, prepared for, or desired

(informal) suffering from premature ejaculation

Noun

premature (plural prematures)

an infant born prematurely

Source: Wiktionary


Pre`ma*ture", a. Etym: [L. praematurus; prae before + maturus ripe. See Mature.]

1. Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed.

2. Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early; untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth; a premature opinion; premature decay.

3. Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, a premature report.

– Pre`ma*ture"ly, adv.

– Pre`ma*ture"ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

11 January 2025

COWBERRY

(noun) low evergreen shrub of high north temperate regions of Europe and Asia and America bearing red edible berries


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee has initially been a food – chewed, not sipped. Early African tribes consume coffee by grinding the berries together, adding some animal fat, and rolling the treats into tiny edible energy balls.

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