Etymology : Middle English, from Latin maturus ripe; akin to Latin mane in the morning, manus good
Pronunciation : m&-tur, -tyur
also Function : adjective
Date : 15th century
1. cause to ripen; cause to develop fully; ripen, age, grow up; reach full maturity; develop; due for payment; work out (a plan) completely, perfect. ripe; full-grown, adult; fully developed; based on careful consideration; completely planned. 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.mature \ma*ture"\ , a. [compar. maturer ; superl. maturest.] [l. maturus; prob. akin to e. matin.].
2. 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. how shall i meet, or how accost, the sage, unskilled in speech, nor yet mature of age ?.
3. 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.
4. of or pertaining to a condition of full development; as, a man of mature years.
5. come to, or in a state of, completed suppuration.
6. 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.
7. Completely worked out; fully digested or prepared; ready for action; made ready for destined application or use; perfected; as, a mature plan.
8. Of or pertaining to a condition of full development; as, a man of mature years.
9. Come to, or in a state of, completed suppuration.
10. To bring or hasten to maturity; to promote ripeness in; to ripen; to complete; as, to mature one's plans.
11. To advance toward maturity; to become ripe; as, wine matures by age; the judgment matures by age and experience.
12. Hence, to become due, as a note. develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation; "He matured fast"; "The child grew fast" become due for repayment; "These bonds mature in 2005" develop and work out fully in one's mind; "I need to mature my thoughts" fully considered and perfected; "mature plans" having reached full natural growth or development; "a mature cell" characteristic of maturity; "mature for her age".
13. 1. When a child or young animal matures, it becomes an adult. You will learn what to expect as your child matures physically = grow up.
14. When something matures, it reaches a state of complete development. When the trees matured they were cut in certain areas.
15. If someone matures, they become more fully developed in their personality and emotional behaviour. Hopefully after three years at university I will have matured.
16. approval If you describe someone as mature, you think that they are fully developed and balanced in their personality and emotional behaviour. They are emotionally mature and should behave responsibly.
17. If something such as wine or cheese matures or is matured, it is left for a time to allow its full flavour or strength to develop. Unlike wine, brandy matures only in wood, not glass. the cellars where the cheeses are matured.
18. Mature cheese or wine has been left for a time to allow its full flavour or strength to develop. Grate some mature cheddar cheese.
19. When an investment such as a savings policy or pension plan matures, it reaches the stage when you stop paying money and the company pays you back the money you have saved, and the interest your money has earned. These bonuses will be paid when your savings plan matures in ten years' time.
20. politeness If you say that someone is mature or of mature years, you are saying politely that they are middle-aged or old. a man of mature years who had been in the job for longer than most of the members could remember.