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.
PREMATURITY
Pre`ma*tu"ri*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. prématurité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being premature; early, or untimely, ripeness; as, the prematurity of genius.
PREMAXILLA
Pre"max*il"la n.; pl. Premaxillæ. Etym: [NL. See Pre-, and Maxilla.]
(Anat.)
Defn: A bone on either side of the middle line between the nose and mouth, forming the anterior part of each half of the upper jawbone; the intermaxilla. In man the premaxillæ become united and form the incisor part of the maxillary bone.
PREMAXILLARY
Pre*max"il*la*ry, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Situated in front of the maxillary bones; pertaining to the premaxillæ; intermaxillary. — n.
Defn: A premaxilla.