mature English · revision 6813

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1400|origins=la maturus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /məˈtjʊə/ ''(UK)''; /məˈt͡ʃʊ(ə)ɹ/, /məˈt͡ʃɝ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English, [[bor|la|mātūrus|t=ripe, timely, early]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) partly through French [[m|frm|mature]];^(Barnhart 1988) the verb is from [[m|la|mātūro|alt=mātūrāre|t=to ripen]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The Latin word is related to [[m|la|māne|t=early, in the morning]] and perhaps to [[m|la|mānus|t=good]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a verb, to promote suppuration, bring to a head: 1392 in Barnhart, about 1400 in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) As an adjective, ripe or full-grown: probably 1440, in a translation of Palladius on husbandry,^(Barnhart 1988) and of deliberation, careful and well considered, 1454, the earliest use in the OED.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of plants, to cause to ripen, is from the mid-15th century, and the intransitive sense, to become ripe, from the 1650s.^(Etymonline) Of persons, having fully developed powers of body and mind, the adjective is from about 1600.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The financial sense of a bill or bond becoming due is by 1861.^(Etymonline) A ''mature student'', an adult studying later than usual, is from 1924,^(OED 1989) and ''mature'' as a euphemism for older than usual by 1953.^(Etymonline) The use for films or books intended for adults is recent.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1392 – to ripen, bring to a head.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1440 – ripe, full-grown.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1454 – well considered.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1600 – of persons, fully developed.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1861 – of a bill, to become due.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1924 – mature student.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Fully grown or developed; [[adult]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Having the mental and emotional qualities of an adult; sensible.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of fruit, wine or cheese, [[ripe]] or fully aged.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Carefully thought out: ''on mature reflection''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Due for payment.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Intended for adults, especially because of sexual or violent content.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To bring or come to full development; to [[ripen]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a bond or policy, to become due for payment.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[maturely]]

+ * [[matureness]]

+ * [[maturement]]

+ * [[maturer]]

+ * [[nonmature]]

+ * [[overmature]]

+ * [[premature]]

+ * [[semimature]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[maturity]]

+ * [[maturation]]

+ * [[immature]]

+ * [[matins]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}