Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MA-TURE, a. [L. maturus; Dan. moed, moeden. In W. mêd, is complete, perfect, mature; and medi signifies to reap, L. meto. So ripe, in English, seems to be connected with reap. In Ch. מטא signifies to come to, to reach, to be mature. See Meet.]

1. Ripe; perfected by time or natural growth; as, a man 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. Addison. Mature the virgin was, of Egypt's race. Prior How shall I meet or how accost the sage, / Unskilled in speech, nor yet mature of age. Pope.
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. Shak.
4. Come to suppuration.