Webster's English Dictionary

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premature

pre.ma.ture \.pre--m*-'t(y)u.(*)r, -'chu.(*)r also .prem-*-\ 
   \-'t(y)u.r-*t-e-, -'chu.r-\ aj [L praematurus too early, fr. prae- + 
   maturus ripe, mature] : happening, arriving, existing, or performed before 
   the proper or usual  time; specif : born after a gestation period of less 
   than 37 weeks {~ babies} - premature n