precocious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
    • a precocious child
    • a precocious achievement
  2. adjective satellite appearing or developing early
    • precocious flowers appear before the leaves as in some species of magnolias

WordNet

Pre*co"cious adjective
Etymology
L. praecox, -ocis, and praecoquus, fr. praecoquere to cook or ripen beforehand; prae before + coquere to cook. See 3d Cook, and cf. Apricot.
Definitions
  1. Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees. R. Sir T. Browne.
  2. Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too forward; -- used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents.

Webster 1913