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