mature
UK[məˈtʃʊə]US[məˈtʃʊr]
adj
Fully grown or developed
adj
Having or showing the mental and emotional qualities of an adult
v
To become fully grown or developed
v
(of an insurance policy, security, etc.) To reach the date when payment is due
Etymology
The word 'mature' entered English in the late Middle English period from the Latin adjective 'mātūrus', meaning 'ripe, timely, or early'. This Latin term is thought to derive from a Proto-Indo-European root related to the concept of good timing, possibly linked to the root of 'māne' meaning 'in the morning'. The core semantic journey is from the very literal, agricultural sense of 'ripe' (as in fruit) to the broader, more abstract meanings of full development, careful consideration, and financial readiness. This evolution reflects a common metaphorical pathway where physical readiness is extended to intellectual, emotional, and contractual completeness.
Analysis
The word is a simplex form borrowed from Latin. It is not productively segmented into meaningful substrings in modern English spelling (e.g., 'mat' + 'ure' would be misleading and not reflect its true etymology).
Examples
The cheese is left to mature for several months before it is sold.
He showed a mature attitude in handling the difficult situation.
The bond will mature in ten years, at which point the principal is repaid.