Pré'ma-tūre', a.
(53), a. [Lat. præmaturus, from præ, before, and maturus, ripe; It. & Sp. prematuro, Fr. prématuré.]
Sense 1. Ripe before the natural or proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hot-bed.
Sense 2. Happening, arriving, performed, or adopted before the proper time; preceding the usual season; too early; as, a premature fall of snow in autumn; a premature birth; a premature opinion; a premature measure.
Sense 3. Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, premature report, news, or intelligence.