Where does “prematurely” come from?
Prematurely comes from English premature, from Latin praematurus, combining Latin prae (before) and maturus (ripe), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to go and come together.
prematurely (English): In a premature manner; too soon or too early
Definitions
- In a premature manner; too soon or too early
Ancestry of “prematurely”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | premature | occurring before a state of readiness or maturity... |
| 2 | English | mature | Fully developed; grown up in terms of physical... |
| 3 | Middle English | mature | mature ripe |
| 4 | Middle French | mature | — |
| 5 | Latin | mātūrus | mature, full-grown |
| 6 | Proto-Celtic | matus | — |
| 7 | Czech | -mat | — |
| 8 | Czech | automat | automaton; vending machine, automat |
| 9 | German | automat | automaton, machine |
| 10 | Ancient Greek | αὐτόματον | accident, mere chance |
| 11 | Ancient Greek | αὐτόματος | self-willed, unbidden; self-moving,... |
| 12 | Ancient Greek | μέμαα | to wish eagerly, strive, yearn, desire |
| 13 | Ancient Greek | μέμονα | to be minded or inclined; to be eager; to hasten |
| 14 | Proto-Indo-European | memóne | to think, to be mindful; to remember |
| 15 | Proto-Indo-European | men- | to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,... |