— precociously , adv. — precociousness , n.
/pri koh"sheuhs/ , adj.
1. unusually advanced or mature in development, esp. mental development: a precocious child.
2. prematurely developed, as the mind, faculties, etc.
3. of or pertaining to premature development.
4. Bot.
a. flowering, fruiting, or ripening early, as plants or fruit.
b. bearing blossoms before leaves, as plants.
c. appearing before leaves, as flowers.
[ 1640-50; L praecoci-, s. of praecox (see PRECOCITY) + -OUS ]