PREMATURE

[pre.ma.ture] adj [L praematurus too early, fr. prae- + maturus ripe, mature] (ca. 1529): happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper, usual, or intended time; esp: born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks "~ babies" -- premature n -- pre.ma.ture.ly adv -- pre.ma.ture.ness n -- pre.ma.tu.ri.ty n