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premature

Syllabification: (pre·ma·ture)
Pronunciation: /ˌprēməˈCHo͝or, -ˈt(y)o͝or/

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Definition of premature

adjective

  • occurring or done before the usual or proper time; too early:the sun can cause premature aging [with infinitive]:it would be premature to do so at this stage
  • (of a baby) born before the end of the full term of gestation, especially three or more weeks before.

Derivatives

prematurity

Pronunciation: /-ˈCHo͝oritē, -ˈt(y)o͝or-/

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'ripe, mature'): from Latin praematurus 'very early', from prae 'before' + maturus 'ripe'

premature in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of premature in the British & World English dictionary

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