mature

Where does the word "mature" come from? It comes from Latin maturus, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Mature’s story begins in Latin: maturus meant “ripe, timely.” The root of 'premature'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as meur. 'mature' was later reshaped from Latin. It reached English by 1400s as mature. 'mature' content dates from the 1900s. Today, mature means fully developed.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient maturus "ripe, timely", the root of 'premature'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval meur "ripe", 'mature' was later reshaped from Latin.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s mature "ripe", 'mature' content dates from the 1900s.