ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈrāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin maturation-, maturatio process of becoming mature or ripe, from Latin maturatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1. archaic : the formation of pus especially in the ripening of a boil
2.
a. : the process of bringing or coming to full development : the process of becoming mature
b. obsolete : the alchemical conversion of base metal to gold
c. obsolete : supposed development of one form of matter or being from another
d.
(1) : the emergence of personal characteristics and behavioral phenomena through endogenous growth processes — compare learning
(2) : the achievement of intellectual maturity or emotional maturity
e. : the final stages of differentiation of cells, tissues, or organs: as
(1) : the lignification of xylem in a higher plant
(2) : the final phases of ripening of a seed
3.
a. : the entire process by which diploid gonocytes are transformed into haploid gametes involving usually two meiotic divisions in which reduction occurs accompanied in the female or followed in the male by physiological and structural changes fitting the resulting gamete or gametes for their future role
b. : spermiogenesis 1