Maturation

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The gradual transition from an undeveloped to a fully developed state can be biological, social, or intellectual in nature
2. Progression through various stages that lead to the full development of an organism, concept, or ability reflects a journey towards maturity
3. The process of development involving stages that enhance physical, emotional, or cognitive growth culminates in achieving maturity

Etymology: Maturation traces back to a Latin verb, "maturare," meaning "to hasten" or "to ripen early," built on "maturus," which meant ripe or timely. The sense of hurrying along a process is still visible in the word: to mature was once something done to fruit, bringing it to readiness before its natural time. Latin "maturatio" carried this agricultural and medical flavour, and it passed into Middle French as "maturation" before English borrowed it as "maturacioun" in Middle English. The English word is a compound in the most transparent sense: "mature," itself borrowed from Latin "maturus," plus the suffix "-ation," which turns verbs into nouns of process. So "maturation" names the action or process of becoming mature. The suffix carries the Latin noun-forming pattern that gives English so many words ending in "-ation."

Synonyms: development, ripening, growing

Antonyms: decline, deterioration