premature
EnglishEdit
Alternative formsEdit
- præmature (archaic)
EtymologyEdit
From Latin praemātūrus, equivalent to pre- + mature. Attested circa 1520.
PronunciationEdit
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˌpɹɛ.məˈtjʊə/, /ˈpɹɛ.mə.tjə/
Audio (UK) (file) - (US) IPA(key): /ˌpɹi.məˈtʊɹ/, /ˌpɹi.məˈt͡ʃʊɹ/
AdjectiveEdit
premature (comparative more premature, superlative most premature)
- Occurring before a state of readiness or maturity has arrived.
- a premature birth
- premature reports of the singer's death
- Taking place earlier than anticipated, prepared for, or desired.
- 1844, Edgar Allan Poe, The Premature Burial:
- I was lost in reveries of death, and the idea of premature burial held continual possession of my brain.
- (informal) Suffering from premature ejaculation.
SynonymsEdit
Derived termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
occurring before a state of readiness or maturity
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taking place earlier than anticipated
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
NounEdit
premature (plural prematures)
- An infant born prematurely.
See alsoEdit
ItalianEdit
PronunciationEdit
AdjectiveEdit
premature
NounEdit
premature f pl