premature

The definition of premature is something that occurs too early or before it is ready.

(adjective)

  1. When you jump into something with an ill-prepared effort before you are ready, this is an example of a premature effort.
  2. When a baby is born after just seven months of pregnancy instead of nine months, this is an example of a baby that is premature.

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See premature in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

happening, done, arriving, or existing before the proper or usual time; too early; specif., born before the full term of gestation

Origin: L praematurus: see pre- & mature

Related Forms:

See premature in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Occurring, growing, or existing before the customary, correct, or assigned time; uncommonly or unexpectedly early: a premature end.
  2. Born after a gestation period of less than the normal time: a premature infant.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, ripe

Origin: , from Latin praemātūrus, ripe too early

Origin: : prae-, pre-

Origin: + mātūrus, ripe; see mā-1 in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • preˌma·tureˈly adverb
  • preˌma·tureˈness, preˌma·tuˈri·ty noun

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