Pre·ma·ture a.
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.
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prematureness
n : the state of being premature [syn: prematurity]