a. [ L. praematurus; prae before + maturus ripe. See Mature. ] 1. Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature fruits of a hotbed. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Arriving or received without due authentication or evidence; as, a premature report. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Pre`ma*ture"ly, adv. -- Pre`ma*ture"ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. prématurité. ] The quality or state of being premature; early, or untimely, ripeness; as, the prematurity of genius. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Premaxillæ [ NL. See Pre-, and Maxilla. ] (Anat.) A bone on either side of the middle line between the nose and mouth, forming the anterior part of each half of the upper jawbone; the intermaxilla. In man the premaxillæ become united and form the incisor part of the maxillary bone. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Anat.) Situated in front of the maxillary bones; pertaining to the premaxillæ; intermaxillary. -- n. A premaxilla. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To advocate. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. praemeditatus, p. p. ] Premeditated; deliberate. [ Archaic ] Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Premeditated p. pr. & vb. n. Premeditating. ] [ L. praemeditatus, p. p. of praemeditari; prae before + meditari to meditate. See Meditate. ] To think on, and revolve in the mind, beforehand; to contrive and design previously; as, to premeditate robbery. [ 1913 Webster ]

With words premeditated thus he said. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To think, consider, deliberate, or revolve in the mind, beforehand. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With premeditation. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. praemeditatio: cf. F. préméditation. ] The act of meditating or contriving beforehand; previous deliberation; forethought. [ 1913 Webster ]