Pre′ma‐ture″ (?), a. [L. praematurus; prae before + maturus ripe. See Mature.] 1. Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed.
2. Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early; untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth; a premature opinion; premature decay.
3. Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, a premature report.
— Pre′ma‐ture″ly, adv. — Pre′ma‐ture″ness, n.