24 results for: mature

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ma·ture    Audio Help   [muh-toor, -tyoor, -choor, -chur] Pronunciation Key adjective, -tur·er, -tur·est, verb, -tured, -tur·ing.
–adjective
1.complete in natural growth or development, as plant and animal forms: a mature rose bush.
2.ripe, as fruit, or fully aged, as cheese or wine.
3.fully developed in body or mind, as a person: a mature woman.
4.pertaining to or characteristic of full development: a mature appearance; fruit with a mature softness.
5.completed, perfected, or elaborated in full by the mind: mature plans.
6.(of an industry, technology, market, etc.) no longer developing or expanding; having little or no potential for further growth or expansion; exhausted or saturated.
7.intended for or restricted to adults, esp. by reason of explicit sexual content or the inclusion of violence or obscene language: mature movies.
8.composed of adults, considered as being less susceptible than minors to explicit sexual content, violence, or obscene language, as of a film or stage performance: for mature audiences only.
9.Finance. having reached the limit of its time; having become payable or due: a mature bond.
10.Medicine/Medical.
a.having attained definitive form or function, as by maturation of an epithelium from a basal layer.
b.having attained the end stage of a normal or abnormal biological process: a mature boil.
11.Geology. (of a landscape) exhibiting the stage of maximum topographical diversity, as in the cycle of erosion of a land surface.
–verb (used with object)
12.to make mature; ripen, as fruit or cheese.
13.to bring to full development: His hard experiences in the city matured him.
14.to complete or perfect.
–verb (used without object)
15.to become mature; ripen, as fruit or cheese.
16.to come to full development: Our plans have not yet matured.
17.Finance. to become due, as a note.

[Origin: 1400–50; late ME < L mātūrus ripe, timely, early; akin to manes, matutinal]

ma·ture·ly, adverb
ma·ture·ment, noun
ma·ture·ness, noun
ma·tur·er, noun

1, 3. aged, grown, adult. 2. See ripe. 5. ready, prepared. 12, 15. age, develop.
1, 3. childish, raw, green, young.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
mature

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
ma·ture    Audio Help   (mə-tyŏŏr', -tŏŏr', -chŏŏr')  Pronunciation Key 
adj.   ma·tur·er, ma·tur·est
    1. Having reached full natural growth or development: a mature cell.
    2. Having reached a desired or final condition; ripe: a mature cheese.
    3. Suitable or intended for adults: mature subject matter.
    4. Composed of adults: a mature audience.
  1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of full development, either mental or physical: mature for her age.
    1. Suitable or intended for adults: mature subject matter.
    2. Composed of adults: a mature audience.
  2. Worked out fully by the mind; considered: a mature plan of action.
  3. Having reached the limit of its time; due: a mature bond.
  4. No longer subject to great expansion or development. Used of an industry, a market, or a product.
  5. Geology Having reached maximum development of form. Used of streams and landforms.

v.   ma·tured, ma·tur·ing, ma·tures

v.   tr.
  1. To bring to full development; ripen.
  2. To work out fully in the mind: "able to digest and mature my thoughts for my own mind only" (John Stuart Mill).

v.   intr.
  1. To evolve toward or reach full development: The child's judgment matures as she grows older.
  2. To become due. Used of notes and bonds.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin mātūrus; see mā-1 in Indo-European roots.]

ma·ture'ly adv., ma·ture'ness n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to bring or come to full development or maximum excellence: maturing the wines in vats; aged the brandy for 100 years; developed the flavor slowly; fruits that were ripened on the vine.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
mature  (v.)
1392, (implied in maturative), from L. maturare "to ripen," from maturus "ripe, timely, early," related to manus "good" and mane "early, of the morning" (see mañana). The financial sense of "reach the time for payment" is from 1861. The adj. is first recorded 1454, from the noun. Maturity (c.1375) is from L. maturitatem (nom. maturitas) "ripeness," from maturus "ripe."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
mature

adjective
1. characteristic of maturity; "mature for her age" [ant: immature
2. fully considered and perfected; "mature plans" 
3. having reached full natural growth or development; "a mature cell" [ant: immature
4. fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used; "ripe peaches"; "full-bodied mature wines" [syn: ripe] [ant: green
5. (of birds) having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination [syn: fledged] [ant: immature

verb
1. develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation; "He matured fast"; "The child grew fast" 
2. develop and work out fully in one's mind; "I need to mature my thoughts" 
3. become due for repayment; "These bonds mature in 2005" 
4. cause to ripen or develop fully; "The sun ripens the fruit"; "Age matures a good wine" [syn: ripen
5. grow old or older; "She aged gracefully"; "we age every day--what a depressing thought!"; "Young men senesce" [syn: senesce
6. cause to ripen and discharge pus; "The oil suppurates the pustules" [syn: suppurate

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version) - Cite This Source - Share This
mature1 [məˈtjuə] adjective
(having the qualities of someone who, or something that, is) fully grown or developed
Example: a very mature person
Arabic: ناضِج، تام النُّمو
Chinese (Simplified): 成熟的
Chinese (Traditional): 成熟的
Czech: zralý
Danish: moden
Dutch: volwassen
Estonian: küps
Finnish: kypsä
French: mûr
German: reif
Greek: ώριμος
Hungarian: érett
Icelandic: þroskaður
Indonesian: dewasa
Italian: maturo
Japanese: 成熟した
Korean: 다 자란, 원숙한
Latvian: nobriedis
Lithuanian: subrendęs
Norwegian: moden, voksen
Polish: dojrzały
Portuguese (Brazil): maduro
Portuguese (Portugal): maduro
Romanian: matur
Russian: зрелый, взрослый
Slovak: zrelý
Slovenian: zrel
Spanish: maduro
Swedish: mogen, fullt utvecklad
Turkish: olgun, ergin
mature2 [məˈtjuə] adjective
(of cheese, wine etc) ready for eating or drinking
Example: a mature cheese
Arabic: جاهِز للطَّعام أو الشَّراب
Chinese (Simplified): 熟的
Chinese (Traditional): 熟的
Czech: vyzrálý
Danish: moden; lagret
Dutch: rijp
Estonian: laagerdunud
Finnish: kypsytetty
French: fait; bon à boire
German: reif
Greek: έτοιμος (για φάγωμα κτλ.)
Hungarian: érett
Icelandic: þroskaður, tilbúinn
Indonesian: matang
Italian: maturo, (pronto per essere mangiato), (pronto per essere bevuto)
Japanese: 熟した
Korean: 잘 익은, 숙성된
Latvian: izturēts, nogatavināts
Lithuanian: subrendęs, išlaikytas
Norwegian: moden
Polish: dojrzały
Portuguese (Brazil): maduro, no ponto
Portuguese (Portugal): maduro
Romanian: maturat
Russian: зрелый; выдержанный
Slovak: vyzretý
Slovenian: dozorel
Spanish: maduro
Swedish: mogen
Turkish: olgun, olmuş
mature1 [məˈtjuə] verb
to make or become mature
Example: She matured early.
Arabic: يَنْضُج
Chinese (Simplified): 使成熟
Chinese (Traditional): 使成熟
Czech: dospět; dozrát
Danish: blive moden; blive voksen
Dutch: rijp worden, volwassen worden
Estonian: küpseks saama, küpseks tegema
Finnish: kypsyä, kypsyttää
French: (faire) mûrir
German: heranreifen
Greek: ωριμάζω
Hungarian: megérik
Icelandic: þroska(st)
Indonesian: menjadi dewasa
Italian: maturare
Japanese: 成熟する
Korean: 성숙하다; 성숙케 하다
Latvian: nobriest
Lithuanian: subręsti
Norwegian: modne(s)
Polish: dojrzewać
Portuguese (Brazil): amadurecer
Portuguese (Portugal): amadurecer
Romanian: a (se) maturiza
Russian: развиться, созреть
Slovak: dospieť
Slovenian: zoreti
Spanish: madurar
Swedish: mogna
Turkish: olgunlaşmak
mature2 [məˈtjuə] verb
(of an insurance policy) to become due to be paid
Example: My insurance policy matures when I reach sixty-five.
Arabic: يَسْتَحِق الدَّفْع
Chinese (Simplified): 到期
Chinese (Traditional): 到期
Czech: nabýt splatnosti
Danish: komme til udbetaling
Dutch: vervallen
Estonian: tähtpäevuma
Finnish: erääntyä
French: arriver à échéance
German: fällig werden
Greek: λήγω (για ασφάλεια)
Hungarian: esedékessé válik
Icelandic: koma til útborgunar
Indonesian: jatuh tempo
Italian: scadere
Japanese: 満期になる
Korean: 만기가 되다
Latvian: (par termiņu) beigties
Lithuanian: sueiti mokėjimo terminui
Norwegian: forfalle til utbetaling
Polish: być do wypłaty
Portuguese (Brazil): vencer
Portuguese (Portugal): vencer
Romanian: a ajunge la scadenţă
Russian: наступать
Slovak: nadobudnúť platnosť
Slovenian: zapasti
Spanish: vencer
Swedish: förfalla (falla ut)
Turkish: vadesi gelmek
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version), © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd.
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ma·ture (m-tyr, -tr, -chr)
adj.

  1. Having reached full natural growth or development.
  2. Of, relating to, or characteristic of full mental or physical development.
v. ma·tured, ma·tur·ing, ma·tures
To evolve toward or reach full development.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Main Entry: 2mature
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: ma·tured; ma·tur·ing
transitive senses
: to bring to maturity or completion mature intransitive senses
: to become fully developed or ripe —maturer noun

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Main Entry: 1ma·ture
Pronunciation: m&-'t(y)u(&)r also -'chu(&)r
Function: adjective
Inflected Forms: ma·tur·er; -est
1 : having completed natural growth and development <a mature ovary>
2 : having undergone maturation <mature germ cells>

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This

Main Entry: ma·ture
Pronunciation: m&-'tur, -'chur
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: ma·tured; ma·tur·ing
transitive verb : to bring to maturity <a policy matured by the death of the insured> intransitive verb : to become due, payable, or enforceable; specifically : to entitle one to immediate enjoyment of benefits <her pension right matured upon retirement> —compare VESTmature adjective

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Mature

De*mure"\, a. [Perh. from OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes murs of good manners); de of + murs, mours, meurs, mors, F. m?urs, fr. L. mores (sing. mos) manners, morals (see Moral); or more prob. fr. OF. me["u]r, F. m[^u]r mature, ripe (see Mature) in a phrase preceded by de, as de m[^u]re conduite of mature conduct.]

1. Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous in bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.

Sober, steadfast, and demure. --Milton.

Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright eyes. --W. Black.

2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of gravity.

A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had been neither life nor soul in her. --L'Estrange.

Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head. --Miss Mitford.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Im`ma*ture"\, a. [L. immaturus; pref. im- not + maturus mature, ripe. See Mature.]

1. Not mature; unripe; not arrived at perfection of full development; crude; unfinished; as, immature fruit; immature character; immature plans. "An ill-measured and immature counsel." --Bacon.

2. Premature; untimely; too early; as, an immature death. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Mat"u*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maturated; p. pr. & vb. n. Maturating.] [L. maturatus, p. p. of maturare to make ripe, fr. maturus ripe, mature. See Mature, v. & a.]

1. To bring to ripeness or maturity; to ripen.

A tree may be maturated artificially. --Fuller.

2. To promote the perfect suppuration of (an abscess).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Ma*ture"\, a. [Compar. Maturer; superl. Maturest.] [L. maturus; prob. akin to E. matin.]

1. Brought by natural process to completeness of growth and development; fitted by growth and development for any function, action, or state, appropriate to its kind; full-grown; ripe.

Now is love mature in ear. --Tennison.

How shall I meet, or how accost, the sage, Unskilled in speech, nor yet mature of age ? --Pope.

2. Completely worked out; fully digested or prepared; ready for action; made ready for destined application or use; perfected; as, a mature plan.

This lies glowing, . . . and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. --Shak.

3. Of or pertaining to a condition of full development; as, a man of mature years.

4. Come to, or in a state of, completed suppuration.

Syn: Ripe; perfect; completed; prepared; digested; ready.

Usage: Mature, Ripe. Both words describe fullness of growth. Mature brings to view the progressiveness of the process; ripe indicates the result. We speak of a thing as mature when thinking of the successive stayes through which it has passed; as ripe, when our attention is directed merely to its state. A mature judgment; mature consideration; ripe fruit; a ripe scholar.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Ma*ture"\, a. [Compar. Maturer; superl. Maturest.] [L. maturus; prob. akin to E. matin.]

1. Brought by natural process to completeness of growth and development; fitted by growth and development for any function, action, or state, appropriate to its kind; full-grown; ripe.

Now is love mature in ear. --Tennison.

How shall I meet, or how accost, the sage, Unskilled in speech, nor yet mature of age ? --Pope.

2. Completely worked out; fully digested or prepared; ready for action; made ready for destined application or use; perfected; as, a mature plan.

This lies glowing, . . . and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. --Shak.

3. Of or pertaining to a condition of full development; as, a man of mature years.

4. Come to, or in a state of, completed suppuration.

Syn: Ripe; perfect; completed; prepared; digested; ready.

Usage: Mature, Ripe. Both words describe fullness of growth. Mature brings to view the progressiveness of the process; ripe indicates the result. We speak of a thing as mature when thinking of the successive stayes through which it has passed; as ripe, when our attention is directed merely to its state. A mature judgment; mature consideration; ripe fruit; a ripe scholar.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Ma*ture"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Matured; p. pr. & vb. n. Maturing.] [See Maturate, Mature.] To bring or hasten to maturity; to promote ripeness in; to ripen; to complete; as, to mature one's plans. --Bacon.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Ma*ture"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Matured; p. pr. & vb. n. Maturing.] [See Maturate, Mature.] To bring or hasten to maturity; to promote ripeness in; to ripen; to complete; as, to mature one's plans. --Bacon.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Ma*ture"\, v. i. 1. To advance toward maturity; to become ripe; as, wine matures by age; the judgment matures by age and experience.

2. Hence, to become due, as a note.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Mat`u*res"cent\, a. [L. maturescens, p. pr. of maturescere to become ripe, v. incho. from maturus. See Mature, a.] Approaching maturity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Pre`ma*ture"\, a. [L. praematurus; prae before + maturus ripe. See Mature.]

1. Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed.

2. Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early; untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth; a premature opinion; premature decay.

3. Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, a premature report. -- Pre`ma*ture"ly, adv. -- Pre`ma*ture"ness, n.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Mature

Ripe\ (r[imac]p), a. [Compar. Riper (-[~e]r); superl. Ripest.] [AS. r[=i]pe; akin to OS. r[=i]pi, D. rijp, G. rief, OHG. r[=i]ft; cf. AS. r[=i]p harvest, r[=i]pan to reap. Cf. Reap.]

1. Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc.; as, ripe grain.

So mayst thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop Into thy mother's lap. --Milton.

2. Advanced to the state of fitness for use; mellow; as, ripe cheese; ripe wine.

3. Having attained its full development; mature; perfected; consummate. "Ripe courage." --Chaucer.

He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one. --Shak.

4. Maturated or suppurated; ready to discharge; -- said of sores, tumors, etc.

5. Ready for action or effect; prepared.

While things were just ripe for a war. --Addison.

I am not ripe to pass sentence on the gravest public bodies. --Burke.

6. Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness.

Those happy smilets, That played on her ripe lip. --Shak.

7. Intoxicated. [Obs.] "Reeling ripe." --Shak.

Syn: Mature; complete; finished. See Mature.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

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