Mature

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Pronunciation: /məˈt͡ʃɔː(ɹ)/

Definitions

1. Fully developed in body or mind, having reached an advanced stage of mental or emotional growth
2. Fully developed in physical, emotional, or intellectual aspects, indicating a state of readiness or completeness
3. Having completed growth or development in physical or mental form ; showing qualities of prudence and emotional stability

Etymology: The Latin adjective "mātūrus" meant "ripe" in its most literal sense, as with fruit ready to pick, and also "early" or "timely," as in a well-timed action. English borrowed it in the late Middle Ages, through Middle French "mature," and its original sense stayed close to that agricultural image: something had reached full development and was ready. The idea of a person who has grown up sensibly came later, applied to people the way one speaks of a ripe fruit. Native English had its own word for this. Old English "rīpe" meant "ripe" and "mature," and it has a long record in the language. "Mature" never fully replaced it; instead the two words divided the work, with "ripe" staying attached to fruit and crops and "mature" taking on the language of people, minds, and plans. The verb came separately. "Maturen" entered Middle English from Middle French "maturer," which came from the Latin verb "mātūrō," meaning to hasten or bring to ripeness. So the verb is a direct sense of the same Latin root, reaching English by a parallel route.

Synonyms: adult, grown, developed, sage, ripened

Antonyms: immature, young, inexperienced, juvenile, naive