adult Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a fully developed person from maturity onward
    grownup.
  2. noun any mature animal
  3. adjective satellite (of animals) fully developed
    grown; full-grown; big; grownup; fully grown.
    • an adult animal
    • a grown woman
  4. adjective satellite designed to arouse lust
    pornographic.
    • pornographic films and magazines
    • adult movies

WordNet

A*dult" adjective
Etymology
L. adultus, p. p. of adolescere, akin to alere to nourish: cf. F. adulte. See Adolescent, Old.
Definitions
  1. Having arrived at maturity, or to full size and strength; matured; as, an adult person or plant; an adult ape; an adult age.
A*dult" noun
Definitions
  1. A person, animal, or plant grown to full size and strength; one who has reached maturity. ✍ In the common law, the term is applied to a person who has attained full age or legal majority; in the civil law, to males after the age of fourteen, and to females after twelve.

Webster 1913