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precocious

 - 8 dictionary results

pre⋅co⋅cious

  [pri-koh-shuhs]
Use precocious in a Sentence
–adjective
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. Botany.
a. flowering, fruiting, or ripening early, as plants or fruit.
b. bearing blossoms before leaves, as plants.
c. appearing before leaves, as flowers.
Origin:
1640–50; L praecoci-, s. of praecox (see precocity ) + -ous

Related forms:
pre⋅co⋅cious⋅ly, adverb
pre⋅co⋅cious⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To precocious
pre·co·cious   (prĭ-kō'shəs)   
adj.  

  1. Manifesting or characterized by unusually early development or maturity, especially in mental aptitude.

  2. Botany Blossoming before the appearance of leaves.


[From Latin praecox, praecoc-, premature, from praecoquere, to boil before, ripen early : prae-, pre- + coquere, to cook, ripen; see pekw- in Indo-European roots.]
pre·co'cious·ly adv., pre·coc'ity (-kŏs'ĭ-tē), pre·co'cious·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry:  precocious1
Part of Speech:  adj
Definition:  pertaining to uncharacteristically early development, esp. in maturity
Etymology:  Latin prae- + coquere 'to cook'
Main Entry:  precocious2
Part of Speech:  adj
Definition:  appearing early, as flowers; early in development
Etymology:  Latin prae- + coquere 'to cook'
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
Copyright © 2003-2009 Dictionary.com, LLC
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Word Origin & History

precocious 
1650, "developed before the usual time," from L. præcox (gen. præcocis) "maturing early," from præ- "before" + coquere "to ripen," lit. "to cook" (see cook (n.)). Originally of flowers or fruits. Fig. use, of persons, dates from 1678.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pre·co·cious
Pronunciation: pri-'kO-sh&s
Function: adjective
1 : exceptionally early in development or occurrence<precocious puberty>
2 : exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age —pre·co·cious·ly adverb —pre·co·cious·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

precocious pre·co·cious (prĭ-kō'shəs)
adj.
Showing unusually early development or maturity.

pre·coc'ity (-kŏs'ĭ-tē) or pre·co'cious·ness n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
precocious   (prĭ-kō'shəs)  Pronunciation Key 
Relating to or having flowers that blossom before the leaves emerge. Some species of magnolias are precocious.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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