Happening or done before the usual, expected, or appropriate time.
From Latin 'praematurus' meaning ripe before the proper time, from 'prae-' (before) plus 'maturus' (ripe, mature). The adverb form '-ly' indicates manner or timing.
Babies born 'prematurely' face real health challenges, but research shows that 'premature' is getting redefined—babies born at 34 weeks now often do fine, showing how medical advances literally change what the word means in practice.
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