First Known Use: circa 1529
Dictionary
premature
adjective pre·ma·ture \ˌprē-mə-ˈtyu̇r, -ˈtu̇r, -ˈchu̇r also ˌpre-\
: happening too soon or earlier than usual
: born before the normal time
Full Definition of PREMATURE
: happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper, usual, or intended time; especially : born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks <premature babies>
— premature noun
— pre·ma·ture·ly adverb
— pre·ma·ture·ness noun
— pre·ma·tu·ri·ty \-ˈtyu̇r-ə-tē, -ˈtu̇r-, -ˈchu̇r-\ noun
See premature defined for English-language learners
See premature defined for kids
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Origin of PREMATURE
Latin praematurus too early, from prae- + maturus ripe, mature
Related to PREMATURE
- Synonyms
- inopportune, precocious, early, unseasonable, untimely
- Antonyms
- late
Other Embryology Terms
Rhymes with PREMATURE
amateur, aperture, armature, blackamoor, carrefour, carte du jour, coinsure, commissure, confiture, connoisseur, coverture, curvature, cynosure, embouchure, epicure, filature, forfeiture, garniture, geniture, green-manure, haute couture, immature, insecure, ligature, manicure, overture, paramour, pedicure, plat du jour, portraiture, prelature, quadrature, reassure, Reaumur, reinsure, saboteur, sepulture, sequitur, signature, simon-pure, sinecure, soup du jour, tablature, temperature, to be sure, troubadour, white amur, Yom Kippur
PREMATURE Defined for Kids
premature
adjective pre·ma·ture \ˌprē-mə-ˈtu̇r, -ˈtyu̇r, -ˈchu̇r\
Definition of PREMATURE for Kids
: happening, coming, or done before the usual or proper time : too early <a premature decision> <premature infants>
— pre·ma·ture·ly adverb
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