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premature

Pronunciation: /ˈprɛmətjʊə/

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Definition of premature

adjective

  • occurring or done before the usual or proper time; too early:the sun can cause premature ageing [with infinitive]:it would be premature to draw any firm conclusions at this stage
  • (of a baby) born before the end of the full term of gestation, especially three or more weeks before: the child was three weeks premature

Derivatives

prematurity

Pronunciation: /-ˈtjʊərɪti/

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 US English dictionary

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