Loading..

Loading...

American Dictionary of the English Language

Dictionary Search

Mature


MATU'RE, adjective [Latin maturus; meto.]

1. Ripe; perfected by time or natural growth; as a man of mature age. We apply it to a young man of mature age. We apply it to a young man who has arrived to the age when he is supposed to be competent to manage his own concerns; to a young woman who is fit to be married; and to elderly men who have much experience.

Their prince is a man of learning and virtue,

mature in years--

Mature the virgin was, of Egypt's race.

How shall I meet or how accost the sage,

Unskilled in speech, nor yet mature of age.

2. Brought to perfection; used of plants. The wheat is mature

3. Completed; prepared; ready. The plan or scheme was mature

This lies glowing, and is mature for the violent breaking out.

4. Ripe; come to suppuration; as, the tumor is mature

MATU'RE, verb transitive [Latin maturo.] To ripen; to hasten to a perfect state; to promote ripeness.

Prick an apple with a pin full of holes, not deep, and smear it with sack, to see if the virtual heat of the wine will not mature it.

1. To advance towards perfection.

Love indulged my labors past,

Matures my present, and shall bound my last.

MATU'RE, verb intransitive To advance toward ripeness; to become ripe or perfect. Wine matures by age, or by agitation in a long voyage. The judgment matures by age and experience.