Etymology Map
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Mature

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means fully developed

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

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

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.