maturation

 
Pronunciation: /matjʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the action or process of maturing: sexual maturation
  • the process by which wine or other fermented drinks become ready for drinking: white wines generally need less maturation than reds
  • the ripening of fruit: pod maturation
  • Medicine the development of functional ova or sperm cells.
  • 2the formation of pus in a boil, abscess, etc..

Derivatives

maturational

adjective

maturative

Pronunciation: /məˈtʃʊərətɪv/
adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting the formation of pus): from medieval Latin maturatio(n-), from Latin maturare (see mature)