precocious

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   appearing or developing early

   precocious flowers appear before the leaves as in some species of magnolias

2. 2
   adj

   characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)

   a precocious child

3. 3
   adj

   Characterized by exceptionally early development or maturity.

   The precocious plant was already blooming flowers by day 4.

4. 4
   adj

   Exhibiting advanced skills and aptitudes at an abnormally early age.

   The precocious child began reading the newspaper at age four.

Etymology

From Latin praecox (“premature, precocious, ripe before time, early ripe”), from praecoquō (“to ripen beforehand, ripen fully, also boil beforehand”), from prae (“before”) + coquō (“to cook, boil, ripen”). Doublet of apricot.