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precocious

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
pre·co·cious  (pr-kshs)
adj.
1. Manifesting or characterized by unusually early development or maturity, especially in mental aptitude.
2. Botany Blossoming before the appearance of leaves.

[From Latin praecox, praecoc-, premature, from praecoquere, to boil before, ripen early : prae-, pre- + coquere, to cook, ripen; see pekw- in Indo-European roots.]

pre·cocious·ly adv.
pre·cocity (-ks-t), pre·cocious·ness n.

precocious
Adjective
having developed or matured early or too soon [Latin prae early + coquere to ripen]
precocity n

precocious  (pr-kshs)
Relating to or having flowers that blossom before the leaves emerge. Some species of magnolias are precocious.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.precocious - characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude); "a precocious child"; "a precocious achievement"
intelligent - having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree; "is there intelligent life in the universe?"; "an intelligent question"
retarded - relatively slow in mental or emotional or physical development; "providing a secure and sometimes happy life for the retarded"
2.precocious - appearing or developing early; "precocious flowers appear before the leaves as in some species of magnolias"
phytology, botany - the branch of biology that studies plants
early - being or occurring at an early stage of development; "in an early stage"; "early forms of life"; "early man"; "an early computer"

precocious
adjective advanced, developed, forward, quick, bright, smart << OPPOSITE backward
Translations
Spanish precocious [prɪˈkəuʃəs] adjprecoz
French precocious [prɪˈkəuʃəs] adjprécoce
German precocious [prɪˈkəuʃəs] adj [child, behaviour] → frühreif
Italian precocious [prɪˈkəuʃəs] adjprecoce

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
said my reason, forced by the agonising stimulus into precocious though transitory power: and Resolve, equally wrought up, instigated some strange expedient to achieve escape from insupportable oppression--as running away, or, if that could not be effected, never eating or drinking more, and letting myself die.
Why therefore not make my first experiment with my little precocious Grandson, whose casual remarks on the meaning of 3^3 had met with the approval of the Sphere?
" "Certainly NOT," replied Rebecca, closing the door somewhat too speedily upon her precocious swain.
 
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